World QUESTIoNS lEGITIMACY of PAkISTAN ElECTIoNS
Although Khan appeared likely to fall short of the 137 seats needed for a majority in the National Assembly, the results mean he should be able to form a government with the help of small coalition .
Pakistan’s prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan launched coalition talks with smaller parties on Saturday after the country’s Election Commission announced the full results of an election after much delay and disputed by the opponents.
Although Pakistan’s former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League (PML) conceded defeat to Khan, European Union monitors have said that the elections had not been fought on a level playing field.
Moreover, several smaller parties with tens of thousands of supporters threatened nationwide street protests unless the entire election was re-run, though it was not made clear when they might begin.
Khan, during a speech declaring victory on Thursday, offered to investigate opposition allegations of voterigging and said he wanted to “unite” the country under his leadership. The famed cricketer-turned-politician has declared victory with a large lead in the nearly complete vote count.
Although Khan appeared likely to fall short of the 137 seats needed for a majority in the National Assembly, his better- than- expected results mean he should be able to form a government with the help of small coalition partners.
The EU Election Observation Mission, in its preliminary findings, said the electoral process was “not as good” as the 2013 election and campaign week featured a “lack of equality” that meant it was not a level playing field for all parties.
“Although there were several legal provisions aimed at ensuring a level playing field, we have concluded that there was a lack of equality and (of) opportunity,” Michael Gahler, chief observer of the mission, told a news conference in its preliminary assessment of the polls.
Gahler said EU observers had not witnessed any military interference in polling stations they assessed. “On election day, polling was assessed as well conducted and transparent,” he said. “However, counting was somewhat problematic with staff not always following the procedures.”
Echoing similar sentiments, the US State Department said it concurred with the EU mission’s conclusions that positive changes to the election framework were “overshadowed by restrictions on freedom of expression and unequal campaign opportunities” and shared its concerns about “flaws in the pre-voting electoral process”.
In an official statement, its spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, “The US shares concerns about flaws in the pre-voting electoral process, as expressed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.” She added the US would seek opportunities to work with Pakistan´s new government to “advance our goals of security, stability and prosperity in South Asia,” but did not reference the winners by name.
The United Kingdom has also raised their concerns about the pressure on media and violence in the country. In an official statement, For- eign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said, “Like the election observation missions, we are also concerned about reports of pressure on the media and the number of parties with links to proscribed groups who preach violence and intolerance. Jinnah’s vision of a tolerant, pluralist Pakistan remains central to a stable and cohesive society.”
The PML-N, whose leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is presently behind the bars, initially rejected the incomplete results. But later, its leaders appeared to accept that Khan would be the next prime minister.
The allegations of rigging in Wednesday’s election followed a bitter campaign in which Pakistan’s powerful military was accused of tilting the race in favour of Khan, and trying to erase democratic gains made since the most recent spell of military rule ended in 2008. The army has repeatedly denied any interference.
The mission included 120 observers who visited 582 polling stations in all the provinces except Baluchistan. The Election Commission on Saturday released results for 270 races, with elections in two seats postponed. Several races were being recounted so the final numbers may change. ( With inputs from Agencies)