Pakistan's Independent Human Rights Commission said on Monday there was little chance of free and fair parliamentary elections being held in the country next month due to “pre-poll irregularities”. He also expressed concern that authorities have rejected the candidature of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and most other members of his party.
Munizae Jahangir, co-chairman of the Pakistan Human Rights Commission, said at a press conference in Islamabad that other political parties were subject to similar tactics to varying degrees.
“At this time, there is little evidence that the upcoming elections will be free, fair or credible,” Jahangir said.
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He said Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) had been “systematically dismantled” and that most candidates' nomination papers had been rejected, raising questions about the country's election commission. said that it had occurred.
Pakistan Human Rights Commission Co-Chairman Muniza-e Jahangir speaks during a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, January 1, 2024. Human rights groups in Pakistan said on Monday there was little chance of free and fair parliamentary elections next month. “Advance voting fraud.” (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
People should be allowed to vote for the candidate of their choice on February 8, she added, but there were “concerns that the electoral process is being manipulated.”
Jahangir said the government's “crackdown” on dissent was further restricting public debate at a time when Pakistanis should be able to express their opinions freely given the upcoming elections. He denounced “oppression.”
Veteran human rights leader Farhatullah Babar said the election commission's decision to keep Khan and other PTI members from voting amounted to “clear pre-vote rigging.”
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He said the Interim Government of Pakistan has a duty to ensure free and fair elections and the Election Commission is responsible for providing equal opportunities to all political parties.
Mr Babar warned that some of the country's major political parties would not accept the results of the fraudulent election and that a contested vote would lead to further political instability.
Khan is currently in prison, serving a three-year sentence on corruption charges. He faces a number of other charges, making his candidacy difficult. Although Mr. Khan was aware that his nomination papers might be rejected, he attempted to run for parliament through his legal team.
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Election officials said Khan was barred from running because of his conviction.
His disqualification was another blow for the 71-year-old former cricketer, who is the most popular opposition figure in the country. He was removed from office in April 2022 following a vote of no confidence in parliament by his political opponents.
