The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is facing a crisis of credibility after a senior official resigned and confessed to manipulating the results of the general elections held in February 2024. The ECP has launched a probe into the allegations and formed a high-level committee to investigate the matter.
The scandal erupted on Saturday, when Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, who was also the district returning officer, submitted his resignation and admitted to tampering with the polling data. He claimed that he was pressured by some influential politicians and bureaucrats to change the votes in favor of certain candidates. He also alleged that the ECP's electronic system was hacked and the data was altered.
Chatha's confession sparked widespread protests and unrest across the country, as the opposition parties and civil society groups demanded a re-election and an independent inquiry into the matter. They accused the ruling party of rigging the elections and stealing the mandate of the people. They also questioned the role and performance of the ECP, which is supposed to be an independent and impartial body responsible for conducting free and fair elections.
The ECP, on its part, has denied any involvement in the rigging and expressed its commitment to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. It has set up a high-level committee, comprising of senior ECP officials and representatives of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), to probe the allegations and record the statements of the district polling officials. The committee is expected to submit its report within three days.
The ECP has also sought the assistance of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to trace the source of the hacking and identify the culprits. It has assured the public that it will take strict action against anyone found guilty of violating the election laws and rules.
The ECP has also appealed to the media and the public to refrain from spreading rumour's and misinformation about the elections and to wait for the official results and the findings of the investigation. It has urged the political parties and the candidates to respect the electoral process and to cooperate with the ECP in resolving the issue.
The ECP has also requested the international observers and the media to share their observations and feedback on the conduct of the elections. The ECP had invited several international organizations and media outlets to monitor and cover the elections, which were held on February 8, 2024. According to the ECP, the elections were held in a peaceful and transparent manner, with a high voter turnout of 67 percent.
The general elections 2024 were the third consecutive democratic elections in Pakistan, after the restoration of democracy in 2008. The elections were contested by 3,459 candidates for 342 seats in the National Assembly and 8,396 candidates for 728 seats in the four provincial assemblies. The ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claimed to have won the majority of the seats, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and other smaller parties and independent candidates.
However, the results of the elections have been challenged by the opposition parties and the civil society groups, who have alleged massive rigging and irregularities in the polling process. They have demanded a re-counting of the votes and a verification of the thumb impressions of the voters. They have also called for a nationwide protest and a boycott of the parliament until their demands are met.
The rigging allegations have cast a shadow over the credibility and legitimacy of the elections and the ECP, which is the constitutional body entrusted with the task of ensuring free and fair elections in Pakistan. The ECP was established in 1956 under Article 218 of the Constitution of Pakistan, and consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and four members, one from each province. The ECP is responsible for preparing the electoral rolls, delimiting the constituencies, conducting the elections, and announcing the results.
The ECP has faced criticism and controversy in the past as well, especially after the general elections of 2013, which were also marred by allegations of rigging and manipulation. The ECP had introduced several reforms and measures to improve the electoral system and to enhance its transparency and accountability. Some of these measures included the use of biometric verification machines, electronic voting machines, postal ballots, and result transmission system. The ECP had also issued a code of conduct for the political parties, the candidates, the media, and the observers, and had established a complaint management system and a monitoring and control center.
However, despite these efforts, the ECP has failed to win the trust and confidence of the stakeholders and the public, who have questioned its independence and impartiality. The ECP has been accused of being influenced by the government and the establishment, and of being incompetent and inefficient. The ECP has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability, and for its failure to address the complaints and grievances of the aggrieved parties and candidates.
The current crisis has exposed the weaknesses and flaws of the electoral system and the ECP, and has raised serious concerns over the future of democracy and stability in Pakistan. The ECP has a huge responsibility and a challenge to restore its credibility and to ensure that the elections are fair and credible. The ECP has to take swift and decisive action to investigate the allegations and to punish the culprits. The ECP has to also take steps to reform and improve the electoral system and to enhance its transparency and accountability. The ECP has to also engage and consult with the political parties and the civil society groups, and to address their concerns and demands. The ECP has to also cooperate and coordinate with the other state institutions and the international community, and to seek their support and guidance.
The ECP has a vital role to play in strengthening and sustaining democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan, which is essential for the peace and prosperity of the country and the region. The ECP has to fulfill its constitutional mandate and to uphold the will and the rights of the people of Pakistan, who are the ultimate source of power and authority in a democratic system.
Source:
Senior Election Official in Pakistan Resigns Over Election Rigging Confession
Pakistan: Election Commission sets up high-level committee to probe rigging allegations
Election Commission of Pakistan
Election Commission of Pakistan
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