ISLAMABAD: An independent watchdog monitoring Pakistan election has lauded voters’ electoral spirit the recently held elections in the South Asian country. The report also highlighted various matters in the country elections.
Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) spokesperson Musarrat Qadeem, citing the initial report on the election, in a news conference expressed concern over the delay in the release of election results and the suspension of mobile services on election day. However, the Watchdog lauded voters’ electoral spirit during the process. The spokesperson also appreciated the ECP for conducting the elections despite criticism which showed its resilience. The spokesperson added that the turnout was 48 per cent, adding despite some challenges, more than 50 million voters participated in the February 8 elections in Pakistan. She added the elections were transparent and fair at polling stations.
Political Process Despite Assaults
Despite a spiral of actuations by several political parties about not getting a level playing field as well as a spike in violence in some areas of the country, none of the political parties backed out of the electoral race. All political parties actively took part in the country’s elections.
Results 2024
The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) had deployed 5,664 observers –1,740 women, 3,913 men, and 11 transgender persons – to observe 22,656 polling stations, about 25 percent of a total of 90,675 polling stations constituted in 265 constituencies.
FAFEN admits the Election Commission of Pakistan for setting in place a hassle-free process of accreditation for these observers, which is indicative of the Commission’s greater focus on increasing the transparency of the processes.
This preliminary report of the election watchdog is based on the observation reports received from 3,534 observers from 12,177 polling stations in 262 National Assemblies constituencies.
