A team from the Commonwealth, led by former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is set to observe all aspects of the electoral process in Pakistan’s upcoming general elections. The Commonwealth, a political association of over 50 countries, aims to promote shared values of democracy, human rights, development, and the rule of law.
Scheduled for February 8, the national polls in Pakistan will be conducted under a caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), invited by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the foreign ministry, will arrive in Islamabad on February 1 and stay until the electoral process concludes.
The COG, comprising multidisciplinary experts from the Commonwealth, will provide an independent and comprehensive assessment of the election process. The team, arriving from various countries, will observe activities from the opening of polling stations to the announcement of results on election day.
Expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s commitment to transparency, Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth group’s secretary-general, affirmed support for the country’s democratic journey and anticipated peaceful and fair elections. The observers aim to assess the entire electoral process and offer recommendations to enhance the electoral system.
Scotland encouraged all stakeholders, including political parties and supporters in Pakistan, to contribute to a peaceful election. Following election day, the COG plans to hold a press conference and release an interim statement with preliminary findings. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented to the government of Pakistan, the Election Commission, and shared with other stakeholders.
