The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) on Tuesday released its final report on Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, noting several areas for improvement and providing recommendations for strengthening the independence of the country’s democratic institutions.
In a press release, the COG said its delegation comprised 13 members, including former Nigerian president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and was convened on an invitation of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Thanking the observers for their work and commitment to transparency, Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey noted some of the findings had been shared in an interim statement released two days after the election. “I also take this opportunity to reiterate my full commitment, as Secretary-General, to Commonwealth values as we support Member Countries to strengthen democracy and good governance,” she said.
“In this regard, the Secretariat has been in contact with the government and the electoral commission and has requested the relevant institutions to establish domestic mechanisms, in line with the Revised Guidelines, to convene all electoral stakeholders to address the recommendations in the COG report. The Secretariat will support this initiative to strengthen democracy in Pakistan for the benefit of all its people,” she added.
The report highlights several conditions that appeared to limit fundamental political rights and impacted “one party’s” ability to fairly contest the election. It further notes a shutdown of cellular services on election night as reducing the transparency of the process, and impacting the efficiency of delivering results.
The report concluded that these developments might have “impinged on the credibility, transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process.”
Praising the ECP’s efforts to ensure inclusive elections, it noted an expansion of its Gender and Social Inclusion Wing as contributing to a reduction in the voter registration gender gap from 12% in 2013 to 7.7% in the 2024 election. It also noted an improvement in youth voter turnout. “The potential of Pakistan’s democracy is enormous. Pakistan has a vibrant and diverse media; women and the youth are more engaged than ever; and Pakistan’s CSOs play a critical role in the democratic life of the country, continually pushing for reform and improvement,” it said.
Among proposed reforms to improve the electoral process, the report cited the legal framework and its interpretation, election administration, and laws impacting political rights, women’s participation, pre-election campaigns, and the role of the media.
The 161-page report also referred to the “Form 47” controversy cited by the PTI as being key to the alleged rigging during the 2024 polls. It noted that the COG was informed that several Forms-45 submitted to the returning officers differed from the Forms-45 “received at the polling station by agents of independent candidates and other party agents”. It cited documentation as appearing to show the alteration. It also cited the lack of “balance” in media coverage from state-owned PTV News and referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling denying the PTI its electoral symbol as being “disproportionate” to the legal issues present in its conduct of intra-party elections.