ISLAMABAD: In light of recent incidents that have cast doubt on the compilation of election results following the 2024 nationwide polls, the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), a non-governmental poll observer, has recommended a three-stage system for auditing 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 February 8 general election results.
“Fafen has been lobbying since 2013 for the electoral commission to conduct verification of all constituency results before notifying winners in an effort to strengthen the integrity ofelection 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,” the document said.
These documents include: tamper-evident bags containing (a) packets containing the ballot papers, each of which shall be sealed with the seal of the presiding officer or, if opened by the returning officer, with the seal of the returning officer; (b) packets containing the counterfoils of issued ballot papers; (c) packets containing the marked copies of the electoral rolls used in the poll; (d) packets containing the Ballot Paper (f) the packets containing the Tendered Ballot Papers included in the count; the Tendered Ballot Papers excluded from the count; the Tendered Votes List, and the Challenged Ballot Papers included in the count; the Challenged Votes List; and the Spoilt Ballot Papers; and (g) such other papers as the commission may direct.
