Pakistan’s independent human rights commission said Monday there is little chance of free and fair parliamentary elections in the country next month because of “pre-poll rigging.” It also expressed concern about authorities rejecting the candidacies of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and most other members of his party.
Quick Read
- Election Concerns in Pakistan: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed doubts about the possibility of free and fair parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. The commission highlighted instances of “pre-poll rigging” and the systematic disqualification of candidates from Imran Khan’s party, PTI.
- Imran Khan’s Candidacy Rejection: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with most members of his party, has been barred from running in the elections. This move has raised questions about the impartiality of Pakistan’s Election Commission.
- Human Rights Commission’s Statement: Munizae Jahangir, co-chairperson of the commission, stressed that the current electoral environment does not indicate a credible election process. She emphasized that the systematic disqualification of PTI candidates is a significant concern.
- Concerns Over Free Speech: The commission criticized the state’s crackdown on dissent, arguing that it restricts public discourse during a crucial election period.
- Role of the Election Commission and Government: The Election Commission is under scrutiny for its decision-making process, and the caretaker government is urged to ensure a fair electoral process.
- Political Instability Risks: Veteran human rights leader Farhatullah Babar warned that a disputed election could lead to further political instability. He emphasized the importance of equal opportunities for all political parties.
- Imran Khan’s Legal Challenges: Imran Khan, currently serving a three-year sentence for corruption, faces additional charges, complicating his ability to participate in the elections. Despite his legal team’s efforts, Khan’s nomination was rejected based on his conviction.
- Political Landscape: Khan’s disqualification is seen as a significant setback for the former prime minister, who remains a prominent opposition figure in Pakistan. His removal from office in April 2022 via a no-confidence vote signaled a shift in the country’s political dynamics.
The Associated Press has the story:
Pakistan human rights body: Upcoming election is unlikely to be free & fair
Newslooks- ISLAMABAD (AP)
Pakistan’s independent human rights commission said Monday there is little chance of free and fair parliamentary elections in the country next month because of “pre-poll rigging.” It also expressed concern about authorities rejecting the candidacies of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and most other members of his party.
At a news conference in Islamabad, the co-chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Munizae Jahangir, said other political parties have been subjected to similar tactics to varying degrees.
“At this point, there is little evidence to show that the upcoming elections will be free, fair or credible,” Jahangir said.
She said Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, was “being dismembered in a systematic manner” and that the rejection of nomination papers for most of its candidates raised questions about the country’s Election Commission.
People should be allowed to vote for their candidate of choice on February 8, she added, and there are “apprehensions that the electoral process is being engineered.”
Jahangir condemned the state’s “clampdown” on dissent, saying it has further constricted civic discourse at a time when Pakistanis should be allowed to express their views freely given the upcoming election.
Farhatullah Babar, a veteran human rights leader, said the Election Commission’s decisions keeping Khan and other PTI members off the ballot amounted to “apparent pre-poll rigging.”
He said Pakistan’s caretaker government has a duty to ensure free and fair elections and the Election Commission’s is responsible for providing all political parties equal opportunities.
Some of the country’s main parties would not accept the outcome of a rigged election, and a disputed vote would create further political instability, Babar warned.
Khan is in currently in prison and serving a three-year sentence for corruption. He also faces a stack of other charges, making it difficult for him to run for office. Despite knowing his nomination papers could be rejected, Khan through his legal team sought to run for a seat in the National Assembly.
According to election officials, Khan was barred from running because of his conviction.
His disqualification was a fresh blow for the 71-year-old former cricketer, who is the country’s most popular opposition figure. He was ousted from office in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote in Parliament by his political opponents.
