In the city of Islamabad, an autonomous overseer scrutinizing the recent electoral processes in Pakistan spotlighted multiple nebulous aspects that transpired during the polls. This oversight body pointed out a conspicuous deficiency in the dispensation of Form 45 by presiding officers, occurring at a staggering 29 percent of the designated polling stations. Form 45, colloquially known as the Result of the Count form, constitutes a pivotal artifact in the Pakistani electoral continuum. Its primary function is to preserve transparency and accountability by meticulously documenting and divulging the outcomes of the voting procedure at a specific polling locus.
Musarrat Qadeem, the spokesperson for the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), expounded upon the initial report’s revelations in a press congregation. She articulated, “The notable lapse in not presenting duplicates of Form 45, as mandated, at 29 percent of the polling stations is a matter warranting serious consideration.” Qadeem also censured the tardiness in the publication of electoral results and the cessation of internet and mobile services on the day of the election. She emphatically contended that grievances concerning the electoral process necessitate redressal.
“It is imperative for the Election Commission to expeditiously attend to and resolve complaints raised by candidates, as timely resolution plays a pivotal role in preserving electoral credibility,” she added. Qadeem reported a voter turnout of 48 percent, remarking, “Despite these challenges, more than 50 million voters participated in the elections held on February 8.”
While acknowledging the transparency at the polling station level, Qadeem voiced reservations regarding the fairness during the result compilation stage by returning officers (ROs). She lauded the Election Commission of Pakistan for persevering in conducting the elections despite criticism, characterizing it as the nation’s most extensive endeavor.
Deploying 5,664 observers nationwide, FAFEN’s report highlighted the failure of Presiding Officers to furnish Form 45 to observers at nearly one-third of the polling stations. Qadeem underscored the obstruction to transparent observation monitoring due to denied access at RO offices. Furthermore, she noted that the margin of rejected votes exceeded the winning margin in 25 constituencies.
FAFEN’s findings accentuate the intricacies within the electoral apparatus, advocating for a thorough scrutiny and enhancement in anticipation of forthcoming polls. Expressing concern, various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, posited that the Pakistani military might have engaged in “rigging” the recent general elections to bolster its candidate while thwarting the success achieved by the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, asserted, “We denounce electoral violence, constraints on the exercise of human rights, attacks on media personnel, and limitations on internet and telecommunication services. Allegations of interference or fraud demand a comprehensive investigation.”
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, remarked, “We acknowledge substantial apprehensions raised regarding the fairness and inclusiveness of the elections. Regretfully, not all parties were formally allowed to contest, and legal maneuvers were employed to hinder the participation of certain political leaders and the use of recognizable party symbols.”
Peter Stano, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, lamented, “We deplore the absence of a level playing field due to the incapacity of some political actors to partake in the elections, restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression both online and offline, curtailments of internet access, and allegations of substantial interference in the electoral process, including arrests of political activists.”
“We call upon all political entities in Pakistan to engage in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue, aspiring towards the formation of a stable government and adherence to human rights in accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and international treaties to which Pakistan is a signatory,” Stano emphasized.
The general elections in Pakistan unfolded on a Thursday, with the tabulation commencing promptly, aspiring to furnish results for the majority of the 265 contested seats in the National Assembly by Friday morning. Independent candidates, endorsed predominantly by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, emerged victorious in a majority of the seats, according to the results proclaimed by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The latest data from the Election Commission of Pakistan reveals the completion of the counting process for 253 seats. Independent candidates, the majority aligned with Khan’s PTI, secured the lead with 99 seats.