ISLAMABAD: A year after Pakistan’s general elections in February 2024, a non-governmental organization (NGO), Pattan, has released a report alleging widespread electoral fraud. The first part of the report, titled “The War Against Voters” details its analysis of what it describes as a stolen public mandate and growing authoritarianism in the country.
The report claims that steps were taken to distort the structure and spirit of the constitution after unprecedented irregularities in the general elections. It alleges subjugation of the judiciary, suppression of media outlets, independent journalists, and social media activists.
An audit of election results on the Election Commission’s website revealed alarming trends. The Election Commission allegedly continued to alter election results forms on its website until September 2024.
The report highlighted the disparity in voter turnout, citing several national constituencies in Lahore where turnout exceeded 80 percent, some even exceeding 100 percent. This was an impossibility. In contrast, the report noted that the average voter turnout in the respective provincial constituencies was around 40 percent. This trend was reportedly more pronounced in Punjab and Karachi.
According to Pattan, despite the Supreme Court’s orders, more than fifty nominated seats are vacant. The NGO argues that this incomplete legislature undermines the legitimacy and public confidence in any legislation passed. The report identifies 64 new methods of electoral manipulation, coercion and fraud that were used before, during and after the polls. It alleges that the aim was to achieve “positive” results.
Pattan claims that those in power are using all available resources to protect the “stolen public mandate”, citing the implementation of the PECA Act and the 26th Constitutional Amendment, for example.
The report calls for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate the 2024 election rigging and determine responsibility.
