ISLAMABAD: Amid the latest developments which increased doubts on election results’ compilation after the 2024 nationwide polls, a non-government poll observer, Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), proposed a three-stage methodology for the audit of the vote outcomes.
“The results of constituencies that have been duly challenged by political parties and candidates at the appropriate legal fora should be scrutinised,” the observer said in an official statement Sunday, urging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use data analytics and forensics to establish the legitimacy of the outcome of the February 8 general elections.
“Fafen has been advocating since 2013 for the election commission to conduct scrutiny of results of all constituencies before the notification of winners in an effort to strengthen the integrity of election outcomes and to minimise the post-election disputes that linger on in election tribunals beyond legally stipulated deadlines.
The post-election situation warrants an urgent and prompt response by the ECP to ascertain the veracity of the claims of illegalities and irregularities by political parties and candidates, and as a prerequisite to establish that the GE-2024 results truly reflect the will of the people.”
“Fafen’s proposed audit is a technical investigation that is purely based on the physical evidence i.e. official election documentation available with the election commission under Section 99 of the Elections Act, 2017,” it read.
