WASHINGTON: The US has encouraged Pakistani authorities to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of irregularities and manipulation during the country’s February 8 general elections using its legal system.
The official results of the February 8 polls were delayed significantly, casting doubt on electoral transparency.
Several political groups, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), have claimed that the election was rigged.
While the other parties, including the PPP, PML-N, and MQM-P, have begun negotiations to create a coalition government, no party was able to obtain a simple majority in the elections.
The PTI-backed independent candidates gained the most seats, followed by the PML-N and the PPP.
During a daily press briefing on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “Right now, we believe it is a matter of first course, letting the legal system play itself out in Pakistan; that is the appropriate first step to take, and we believe it is the step that should be taken.”
In response to a query regarding US congressmen requesting the Biden administration to press for an independent inquiry into alleged election fraud, he responded, “I’m not sure what body they’re proposing to conduct an independent investigation.”
“If there are additional steps that ought to be entertained we are happy to look into that,” he went on to say.
In response to another related question, he reiterated: “We have seen charges of meddling and fraud, and we want to ensure that these are thoroughly probed by Pakistan’s judicial system. We will continue to watch this in the coming days.”
While calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged election irregularities, the spokesperson stated that it was clearly a contested election in which people were able to express their choice, and that “ultimately we respect the democratic process and are ready to work with the government once it is formed.”
The official stated that the US had expressed concerns both publicly and privately, along with the EU, the UK, and other countries, regarding “some irregularities that we saw in the process.”
We emphasize that we want to see the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, free press, and a vibrant civil society respected in the run-up to the elections, and we continue to believe that is the case,” he said, condemning political and election-related violence as well as restrictions on internet and cell phone service, which have had a negative impact on the electoral service.
