A coalition of 130 lawyers, activists, and journalists has raised strong concerns about the delayed release of the Commonwealth Observer Group’s (COG) report on Pakistan’s 2024 general elections. The group expressed frustration over the 19-month gap between the elections and the report’s eventual publication.
Concerns Over Report’s Timing
The report, published on September 30, highlighted several issues including restrictions on political rights, interference in judicial matters, and reduced transparency. However, critics argue that its release came far too late to hold institutions accountable. According to the letter addressed to the Commonwealth Secretariat, the document was finalized and transmitted in November 2024 but was withheld from the public for almost a year.
The letter noted that election reports are usually released swiftly. For instance, in 2013, Pakistan’s election report was made public within 39 days. In 2018, the report was released within the same year. By comparison, reports from Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Trinidad and Tobago were all published much earlier despite their elections taking place later than Pakistan’s.
Transparency and Democratic Rights
The signatories expressed alarm that the Commonwealth Secretariat shared the report with the government and the Election Commission of Pakistan before releasing it to the public. They described this decision as a breach of trust with citizens. According to them, withholding the findings denied Pakistani voters the opportunity to demand accountability for violations of their democratic rights.
The letter stressed that such actions violated the Commonwealth’s own guidelines on election observation. These rules require preliminary reports within 48 hours and final reports issued promptly. The delay, therefore, represented a failure to uphold commitments to transparency and democracy.
Issues Highlighted in the Report
The delayed report documented several challenges that affected the fairness of the 2024 general elections. Among the most notable concerns were:
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Restrictions on political freedoms and association.
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Suspension of cellular services on election night, which slowed result transmission and reduced transparency.
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Allegations of judicial interference in election-related cases.
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Mass arrests of political workers, particularly from one major party.
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Limited journalistic freedoms and media restrictions.
These findings indicated systemic barriers that undermined the credibility of the electoral process.
Demands for Accountability
The letter urged the Commonwealth Secretariat to take corrective measures. The demands included an independent inquiry into the delay, a fixed timeline for publishing future reports, and an official apology to the people of Pakistan. Furthermore, the group requested that the matter be referred to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and included on the agenda of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Political Reactions
Opposition parties have also pointed to the report as evidence of unfair practices. They argue that institutional bias and restrictions targeted a particular party and its leadership. The revelations, though delayed, have intensified calls for reforms in Pakistan’s electoral system.
The delayed release of the Commonwealth election report has sparked widespread criticism among civil society groups. Activists argue that withholding the findings for nearly two years undermined public trust in democratic institutions. They continue to call for accountability, transparency, and reforms to ensure that future elections in Pakistan reflect the true will of the people.
