PILDAT, the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency, has recently unveiled its evaluation of the 2024 General Election, revealing a disconcerting decline in fairness scores compared to previous electoral cycles.
The assessment, conducted independently by PILDAT, involved a comprehensive questionnaire scored by a diverse group comprising politicians, lawyers, activists, retired bureaucrats, military officials, and politically aware youth. Divided into three segments—pre-polling processes, election day activities, and post-polling procedures—the evaluation shed light on critical issues.
The report underscored concerns such as political repression, the suspension of mobile and internet services on polling day, delays in announcing election results, and the postponement of publishing Forms 45, 46, 48, and 49 on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) website. Additionally, it highlighted delays in allocating reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council.
The pre-poll phase, scrutinizing the impartiality of key institutions like the judiciary, the ECP, caretaker governments, and intelligence agencies, achieved a score of 50%, matching the 2018 election but falling short of the 62% scored in the 2013 election.
The second phase, focusing on the voting process and vote counting, secured an overall score of 40%, aligning with the 2018 election but notably lower than the 50% scored in 2013.
The post-poll phase also received a 40% score, marking an “all-time low” that mirrored the 2002 general election, characterized by unprecedented post-poll rigging. The PILDAT report raises critical concerns about the electoral process, emphasizing the need for reforms to restore confidence in the democratic system.
