The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), which observed Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, has released its final report. The report notes areas for improvement and provides recommendations for strengthening the independence of the country’s democratic institutions.
The independent and multi-disciplinary 13-member group, led by former President of Nigeria, HE Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was convened by the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, following an invitation from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Current Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey thanked the observers for their diligent work and commitment to transparency.
She said:
“I note that some of the report’s findings were previously shared in the Commonwealth Observer Group’s interim statement, which was released two days after the 2024 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.
“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.”
In its final report, the group highlighted, among others, the conditions which appeared to limit fundamental political rights and impacted one party’s ability to fairly contest the election. Additionally, it noted a shutdown of cellular services on election night, which reduced the transparency of the process and impacted the efficiency of receiving results.
The report concluded that these developments may have “impinged on the credibility, transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process”.
The COG, which was deployed across Pakistan, commended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s efforts to ensure inclusive elections. It noted the ECP’s expansion of its Gender and Social Inclusion Wing as a worthwhile endeavour, which contributed to a reduction in the voter registration gender gap from 12 per cent in 2013 to 7.7 per cent in the 2024 election.
The group further noted the establishment of the ECP’s gender hotline for reporting election-related harassment and intimidation. There was also an improvement in youth voter turnout.
The COG observers pointed out that despite the challenges, the potential for improving future polls was encouraging. The report noted:
“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.”
The report proposed reforms to various aspects of the electoral process, including 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 report added:
“Our Group makes a number of carefully considered recommendations for improving future elections in Pakistan, which we hope will be received in the Commonwealth spirit of mutual learning and cooperation.”
In accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, the role of the Commonwealth Observer Group is limited to impartially observing the electoral process and providing recommendations based on evaluations of the pre-election environment, polling day activities, and the post-election period.
As observers conducted their work, they considered whether conditions existed for a credible, transparent, and inclusive election, analysing media rights, freedom, and obligations; conditions for a level playing field for all candidates; and Pakistan’s adherence to domestic and international norms in the administration of the electoral process.
COGs are independent of the Secretariat and typically include current or former members of parliament, election officials, civil society practitioners, media representatives, gender specialists, youth leaders and former members of the judiciary.
The final report has been conveyed to the Government of Pakistan and distributed to relevant stakeholders. It builds on the interim statement’s findings, issued shortly after the elections, and provides an assessment of the entire electoral process.
Read the full COG report
Media contact
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Charmaine Wright Head of Media Relations, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
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