By-elections in Pakistan organized but turnout alarmingly low — FAFN Report

The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFN) has released a detailed report on the November 23 by-elections, in which the election arrangements have been described as ‘adequate and orderly’ overall. According to the report, the voting process at most polling stations was peaceful and the observers found the performance of the administrative staff satisfactory.

However, the report also raised questions on several aspects of election transparency. According to FAFN, there were continuous violations of election campaign laws. During the observation, at least 465 election camps were located near 238 polling stations, which are clearly in violation of the Election Commission’s restrictions.

The report stated that transport facilities were provided to voters at many places, while presiding officers were keeping pre-signed ballot papers at 29 percent of the booths. Ballot papers were also found to be pre-stamped at 28 percent of the places. Although this practice is not legally prohibited, according to FAFN, it can definitely raise concerns of misuse.

FAFN raised the biggest objection to the transparency of the results regarding Form 45 and Form 46. At six polling stations, the presiding officers did not issue Form 45 to the polling agents, while at about 19 percent of the stations, Form 45 was not even displayed outside. Similarly, in 43 percent of the observation stations, polling agents were not even asked to sign the forms.

The report has termed the extremely low voter turnout as the most worrisome aspect, which was recorded at only 23 percent overall for both men and women. There was only one constituency where the turnout was more than 50 percent.

Election experts say that although there has been improvement at the administrative level, the decline in turnout is evidence that public confidence in the electoral process has not yet been restored. According to them, it is not possible to ensure transparency without tightening the monitoring of the election campaign.