Pakistan By-Elections Reveal Systemic Campaign Violations and Transparency Gaps
The November 23 by-elections across 13 National and Punjab Assembly constituencies in Pakistan demonstrated concerning patterns of electoral mismanagement that underscore the importance of robust democratic institutions and accountability measures.
Campaign Rule Violations Persist
According to the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) observation report, the elections were fundamentally compromised by widespread breaches of established campaigning restrictions. At 238 polling stations representing 64% of those monitored, approximately 465 unauthorized party camps operated in direct violation of electoral boundaries.
These violations reflect a troubling disregard for the rule of law that democratic societies depend upon. When political parties consistently flout established regulations, it undermines the very foundation of fair electoral competition and citizen trust in democratic processes.
Transparency Failures Raise Concerns
Perhaps more alarming were the systematic failures in results transparency. Presiding Officers denied access to critical documentation, with Result of the Count forms withheld from polling agents at six stations and observers at 13 stations. Similarly, Ballot Paper Account forms were not provided to polling agents at 15 stations.
Such opacity in electoral processes represents a fundamental breach of democratic accountability. Citizens have an inherent right to transparent electoral procedures, and any deviation from this principle threatens the legitimacy of democratic governance.
Low Turnout Signals Civic Disengagement
The 23% decline in voter turnout for both men and women presents another concerning trend. Only one constituency achieved turnout above 50%, indicating widespread civic disengagement that weakens democratic mandates.
This pattern suggests citizens are losing confidence in electoral institutions, a dangerous development for any democracy. Strong democratic societies require active citizen participation, and declining turnout often signals deeper institutional problems.
Positive Elements Amid Concerns
The report did note some encouraging aspects. Approximately 89% of Presiding Officers received proper training from the Election Commission of Pakistan, and ballot security measures were largely maintained with 98% of ballot boxes properly sealed.
Additionally, 97% of polling agents expressed satisfaction with the polling process, suggesting that while systemic issues exist, ground-level electoral administration maintained basic standards in most locations.
Implications for Democratic Governance
These findings highlight the critical importance of strong electoral institutions and consistent rule enforcement. Democratic societies cannot afford to normalize campaign violations or transparency gaps, as such practices erode the foundation of legitimate governance.
The Fafen observation, conducted through 122 trained observers monitoring 373 polling stations, provides valuable documentation of these concerning trends. Such independent monitoring serves as a crucial check on electoral integrity and demonstrates the vital role of civil society in maintaining democratic accountability.
Moving forward, Pakistani electoral authorities must prioritize consistent rule enforcement and complete transparency to restore public confidence in democratic processes. The health of any democracy depends on citizens' trust that elections are conducted fairly and transparently.