Amid escalating concerns regarding the credibility of the election results following the 2024 nationwide polls, the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), a non-governmental poll observer, has proposed a comprehensive three-stage methodology for auditing the vote outcomes.
In an official statement on Sunday, Fafen urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to employ data analytics and forensics to verify the legitimacy of the results from the February 8 general elections, particularly in constituencies contested by political parties and candidates through legal channels.
Fafen has long advocated for scrutinizing the results of all constituencies before the official declaration of winners, aiming to enhance the integrity of election outcomes and minimize post-election disputes. The organization stressed the urgency for the ECP to promptly respond to claims of illegalities and irregularities, emphasizing that such actions are crucial to ensuring that the 2024 election results authentically reflect the will of the people.
The proposed audit methodology by Fafen is based on a technical investigation using physical evidence, primarily official election documentation available with the Election Commission under Section 99 of the Elections Act, 2017. This documentation includes tamper-evident bags containing various materials like ballot papers, counterfoils, marked copies of electoral rolls, Ballot Paper Accounts, and more.
The three-stage audit methodology suggested by Fafen involves assessing the authenticity and completeness of election documentation, determining the material effect of unverified forms on election outcomes, and scrutinizing the actions of election officials for accountability. Fafen highlighted the extensive logistical challenges involved in conducting general elections, requiring the deployment of hundreds of thousands of officials.
The observer specifically called upon the ECP to address the legality of multiple copies of Form-45 generated on Election Day, emphasizing that the Elections Act, 2017, does not specify which copy will be considered legal in case of discrepancies. Fafen also encouraged political parties and candidates to promptly report complaints of illegalities and violations of the Elections Act, 2017, as outlined in Section 9(1) of the Act.
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