Pakistan Elections 2024: Fair or rigged, how is world responding?
Islamabad, 11 February, 2024 (TDF): Pakistan held its general elections on February 8th, and the country is still awaiting the results of its general polls. Several countries have raised concerns about the reported irregularities in elections, and has called for investigation.
According to several reports, the country is facing delays in announcing election results. The polling results for provincial and national assemblies began to come in nearly 12 hours after polling ended on Thursday.
The elections were marred by violence, nationwide suspension of mobile phone services, and internet restrictions that evoked allegations of ‘rigging’ and ‘political engineering’.
According to reports of Pakistan Army, about 12 people died, and 39 wounded during the violence aimed at disrupting polls.
Whether the elections were fair or rigged, it is necessary to see how the world is viewing Pakistan’s elections?
How the US views Pakistani elections?
Despite showing its reservations about the violence during the polls and the allegations of political engineering, the US has expressed its will and commitment to continue its engagement with the upcoming government. The US department of State said in a statement, “The United States is prepared to work with the next Pakistani government, regardless of political party, to advance our shared interests.”
While expressing its concerns it added the statement, “We condemn electoral violence … and are concerned about allegations of interference in the electoral process. Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated.”
How UK views Pakistani elections?
Compared to the US, UK raised serious concerns over the fairness of elections citing the banning of Pakistan’s most popular political party from the elections. UK also showed concerns over internet restrictions, and reports of irregularities in polling results.
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Foreign Secretary David Cameroon said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, “The UK urges authorities in Pakistan to uphold fundamental human rights including free access to information, and the rule of law. The new government must be accountable to the people it serves, and work to represent the interests of all Pakistan’s citizens and communities with equity and justice.”
We recognise serious concerns over the fairness and lack of inclusivity of Pakistan’s elections.
Authorities must uphold fundamental human rights including free access to information and the rule of law.
I applaud all who voted. https://t.co/15U4EcmRjK
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) February 9, 2024
How EU views Pakistani elections?
Like the US, EU also expressed concerns over the reported irregularities during the polls. But at the same time the bloc has commend the country’s “commitment to democracy”.
It also expressed concerns over “the lack of a level playing field due to the inability of some political actors to contest the elections, restrictions to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression both online and offline, restrictions of access to the internet, as well as allegations of severe interference in the electoral process, including arrests of political activists.”
Pakistan elections results
According to Pakistan’s election commission, independent candidates, who are mostly backed by the PTI, are leading with 100 seats out of 265 in the National Assembly. In the runner-up position, PML-N has secured 73 seats. Results for nine out of the 265 contested seats are yet to be determined.
PTI interim chief Gohar Ali Khan asserts that the party will strive to form a government, highlighting its status as “by far the largest political party in the National Assembly.”
Whereas PPP has stressed that the formation of a federal government, as well as in Punjab and Balochistan provinces, cannot proceed without his party’s involvement.
