Fafen urges legal reforms to ensure credible polls

As the country braces for the much-anticipated general elections on February 8, the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) has urged to make collective efforts to ensure the credibility of the polls.

A document issued by the electoral watchdog calls upon all election stakeholders to take steps to enable voters to freely cast their ballots on February 8, 2024, and subsequent processes of counting, tabulation and consolidation are conducted in an entirely transparent manner in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Act, 2017.

"The much-awaited general elections are crucially important for Pakistan to ensure political stability, which is a prerequisite for social and economic development," it stated.

The elections will be held following two years of political entanglement and uncertainties that have led to an atmosphere of polarisation and communal stress that does not augur well for an already-struggling democracy.

As per Fafen, a credible election is, therefore, essential that inspire the confidence of all political parties, and particularly the Pakistani people.

Despite the issues of level playing field raised by multiple political parties, the fact that all major political parties are still in the run bodes well for democracy, and may be indicative of their confidence in the electoral process.

In view of the criticality of the upcoming elections, Fafen has particularly urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), political parties and the contesting candidates to reinforce and reassert the provisions of the Elections Act, 2017 and the Election Rules, 2017.