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.