Elections end uncertainty in Pakistan: FAFEN

Islamabad: The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) released a preliminary observation report regarding the general elections conducted on February 8 in Pakistan.

While giving a briefing, FAFEN Chairperson Musarat Qadeem said that the elections were held after two years of chaos in the country, political parties participated in the elections despite the lack of equal opportunities and threats of terrorism.

The FAFEN report stated that more than 50 million people voted in the elections held in the country on February 8. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducted the election exercise which is commendable, but the preparation of preliminary results and the announcement of the results marred the orderly election.

FAFEN Chairperson added: “The period of uncertainty in the country has ended after the elections, now it is the responsibility of the political parties to ensure stability in the country, the Election Commission needs to resolve the concerns on the results of the candidates soon”.

The observation report stated that the voter turnout in the country was 48%. There were 63% more voters at the polling station, there is no constituency where women voted less than 10%.

12 women were elected in the election while eight were independent. Candidates who were not supported by any political party were also elected, continued the report.

According to the FAFEN report, the political parties maintained their vote bank in the elections. The vote bank of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) increased while the vote bank of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remained intact.