ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani non-profit organization, which seeks to strengthen democratic governance by focusing on policy research and legislative development, said on Wednesday the recent elections received the lowest election fairness score in nearly a decade while asking the relevant authorities to investigate the deficiencies observed during the electoral contest.
The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has been publishing election assessments since 2002.
PILDAT’s recent report, released nearly a month after Pakistan’s general elections, which were marred by a countrywide cellphone service shutdown and delays in announcing election results, has created widespread suspicion of vote fraud, a claim denied by the country’s election authorities.
The organization’s assessment of the 2024 polls indicates a concerning decline in fairness scores compared to previous election cycles.
“Overall fairness of the 2024 General Election in Pakistan received a score of 49 percent which is three percentage points lower than the score received for the 2018 General Election,” PILDAT informed. “Fairness assessment scores for the 2013 and 2018 elections stood at 57 percent and 52 percent, respectively.” X
It observed there were considerable delays in the scheduling of the elections during the pre-poll phase, which also witnessed a lack of impartiality within the temporary caretaker setup.
Additionally, the suspension of cellphone and Internet services not only compromised the election management system but also hindered public participation on election day.
Following the completion of voting, the report further highlighted, the announcement of provisional results occurred beyond the deadline stipulated in Section 13(3) of the Elections Act, 2017, casting doubts on the credibility of the electoral process.
“PILDAT calls on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct a thorough investigation into the delays and deficiencies observed during the 2024 General Election, particularly in result compilation, transmission and consolidation,” it added.
Political parties in Pakistan have raised objections to the election results and resorted to street protests.
The outcome of the polls has also prompted former prime minister Imran Khan’s party to question the legitimacy of the present National Assembly itself.
Pakistan 2024 election fairness score plummets to lowest since 2013 – PILDAT
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Pakistan 2024 election fairness score plummets to lowest since 2013 – PILDAT
- The organization demands the election commission to investigate the deficiencies observed during the national polls
- Political parties in Pakistan have resorted to street protests against election results, but the authorities deny vote fraud
Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month
- The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
- Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.
Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.
On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.
The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.
In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.
Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.
“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.
