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2024: The year of elections in atleast 64 countries but how many of these will be really fair?

Where everyone knows that the system is rigged to the core to select donkey as PM and Hyena as President from local media to international media.

Even politicians are accepting on Tv that the system is going to be rigged becoz in favour of 2 parties and everyone knows that how many seats donkeys and Hyenas will get in this selection.

I have never seen a biggest "snowflake" as this one , who relied on sharks every other day to cut the internet.

Mark my words, if this get rigged, its not gonna work for long time as he will topple the next govt after getting his extension.

I will give next system max 2 years.

He is second coming of Zia, only difference is hes on steroids , but dont know jack about how to handle international situation atleast Zia was smart and this one is just .... meh .

In the end donkey will be under the bus eventually , and hyena will escape as always.
 
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Elections in Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and Uzbekistan are mere formalities. There is no need to expect even 1% transparency in them.

As for Bangladesh, we have already seen who was meant to win, and indeed, she wins. And for India, Modi just needs one conspiracy against Pakistan, and he will win the election. It's as easy as that.
 
FearlessRoar said:
Elections in Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and Uzbekistan are mere formalities. There is no need to expect even 1% transparency in them.

As for Bangladesh, we have already seen who was meant to win, and indeed, she wins. And for India, Modi just needs one conspiracy against Pakistan, and he will win the election. It's as easy as that.
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well bro you are very right about India .They just need to run a conspiracy against Pak and then BJP will get the landslide victory.
 
A separate thread should be made on Establishment committing an own goal here.

The biggest mistake that could had been made was making a Pakistani election in the same year as an Indian election, and we all know that India loves to make a move on Pakistan to win the public support.

Pakistan is going to be vulnerable for the next 4 months atleast. Cause, with a new parliament in place that would be adjusting and new portfolios that would be distributed, Pakistan can be caught on the backfoot on the basis of any stupid event.

This is why our elections should had been held on time back in 2023. This delay was not needed.
 
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I guess in most of the countries, people already know who's going to win the election. Unfortunately, this is the case in Pakistan too.
 
Major said:
A separate thread should be made on Establishment committing an own goal here.

The biggest mistake that could had been made was making a Pakistani election in the same year as an Indian election, and we all know that India loves to make a move on Pakistan to win the public support.

Pakistan is going to be vulnerable for the next 4 months atleast. Cause, with a new parliament in place that would be adjusting and new portfolios that would be distributed, Pakistan can be caught on the backfoot on the basis of any stupid event.

This is why our elections should had been held on time back in 2023. This delay was not needed.
Click to expand...
Agree that delay in election is just going to bring chaos in Pakistan and even that delay couldn't ensure free and impartial elections.
 
Why waste a lot of money that belongs to the local Pakistani people when all of the selection is already done? Don't waste money; just let the favorite child take his oath and get it over with.
 
Aamir Mughal brandishes an eggplant before a gaggle of voters, rallying support behind the Pakistani staple during an election campaign he says is being undermined by bizarre symbols assigned to candidates.

"The eggplant is now a famous symbol across all Pakistan," declares the candidate for the capital Islamabad, a follower of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan.

"Now this has become the king of the vegetables."

In Pakistan -- where literacy rates hover at just 60 percent -- political parties use icons to identify their candidates on the campaign trail and ballot papers.

But as a military-backed crackdown puts the squeeze on opposition parties, some candidates say authorities are trying to hinder their campaigns by allotting them symbols that are either degrading or downright weird.

Khan has been barred from standing in Thursday's poll and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have been stripped of their long-time cricket bat emblem over failing to meet election commission rules.

Dozens of his followers are also not allowed to stand, and some of those on the ticket –- now running as independents –- have reported harassment or been forced into hiding.

Others have been assigned a random bric-a-brac of symbols and are scrabbling to make an impression on the campaign trail.

A spokesman for the Election Commission of Pakistan said the symbols are chosen from a list designed for independents and "are purely the prerogative of the returning officers".

The humble eggplant -- or "baingan" in Pakistan's Urdu language –- is a key ingredient in Pakistani cuisine.

It is also ripe with symbolic connotations, notably deployed as an emoji suggestive of male anatomy.

"The election commission assigned us this symbol to make a mockery of us," said 46-year-old Mughal.

"We felt weird," he coyly admits.

But Mughal's team have leaned into their fate. An aide trails him with a sack of the purple produce. He carries it like a mascot and makes speeches against a backdrop of festooned aubergines.

When addressing voters he holds it aloft like Shakespeare's Hamlet contemplating a skull. Such is the popularity of their campaign, they claim the cost of eggplants has risen fourfold at grocers.

"This symbol is giving me an extraordinary fame," said Mughal.

"Everyone wants to look at it as they know the symbol belongs to Imran Khan's candidate."

Ejaz Gaddan romantically describes his constituency in the eastern Punjab province as his ancestral homeland -- his people's "final resting place".

Perhaps fittingly, he was assigned a symbol of a bed.

"They tried to humiliate us with the symbols they are giving us. Some candidates feel embarrassed telling people what symbol they have gotten," the 50-year-old Bahawalpur candidate complained.

"This is not an election, this is cruelty."

His symbol is a "charpai" -- a simple wood-frame bed with a sprung surface of woven rope, commonly used in lower-income homes.

"It is a very useful household item. When we are alive, the charpai allows us to rest. When we die, it takes us on our final journey," said Gaddan.

"My symbol is already available in every household. I don't have to introduce it to my constituents."

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party considered military-backed is canvassing with the symbol of a fearsome big cat. But Gaddan is unfazed.

"The lion is a bloodthirsty beast," he says. "There is no place in our society for a beast."

In northwestern Pakistan, Shehryar Afridi was incensed when he was issued the bottle symbol.

In the local Pashto language, calling someone a bottle implies they are an "empty vessel" -- vapid and thoughtless.

It also has connotations of alcohol consumption in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where conservative Islam holds sway.

"Most of the PTI candidates, including myself, were given symbols that were meant to create a negative bias," said the 45-year-old candidate for Kohat city.

"We were deliberately given symbols that could be used to ridicule us."

Afridi took his case to the high court in the provincial capital Peshawar, but won no relief.

"When we entered the field during the election campaign, we received so much backlash regarding the bottle symbol that it sabotaged our campaign automatically," he said.

Source: BARRON'S

www.barrons.com

Eggplants, Bottles, Beds: Pakistan Politicians Reclaim Election Symbols

Aamir Mughal brandishes an eggplant before a gaggle of voters, rallying support behind the Pakistani staple during an election campaign he says is being undermined by bizarre symbols assigned to candidates.
www.barrons.com www.barrons.com
 

Taraciuk Broner: “It is going to be hard for these elections to take place on a completely fair playing field”​


“What López Obrador has done in the context of his presidency is to push for a series of measures that have undermined independent institutions [such as INAI, the judiciary, and the National Electoral Institute]. [He has promoted] the harassment of political opponents, independent media, and civil society. Also, there has been an escalating militarization of the country [beyond] public security, [with control extending to large parts] of the economy and government."

“This creates a context in which it is going to be hard for these elections to take place on a completely fair playing field […] The state is actively supporting the ruling party candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, AMLO’s political heir. Sheinbaum will benefit from governmental resources and media access, in a context where there is no electoral institution strong enough to actually level that playing field.”

“It is very likely that Mexico is going to have its first woman president, but there is still uncertainty about the future of women’s rights because neither candidate has championed the cause in their past governmental and non-governmental experiences.”

Source: The Dialogue.org
 
A pro-war symbol and one of President Vladimir Putin’s favorite quotes have been chosen as the official logo and slogan of the 2024 presidential election, in what observers say is an effort to indirectly influence the public to vote for the incumbent leader.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced Monday that the Latin letter “V” in the colors of the Russian flag alongside the words “Together we are strong — vote for Russia!” would be used to promote the March 17 election.

The letter “V,” which first appeared on tanks headed toward Ukraine in early 2022, has since been used by Russian officials to signify support for the invasion — while Putin often uses the phrase “Together we are strong” at public events.

The presidential administration knew in advance that the CEC would propose a war-related logo design, The Moscow Times has learned.

“The Kremlin conveyed its wishes to the CEC in advance. [The logo] had to be clearly linked to the ‘special military operation’,” a source close to the presidential administration told The Moscow Times, using the Kremlin’s term for the war.

Putin in particular was “keen” to use this symbolism, added the source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly discuss election preparations.

The symbol and slogan were chosen to indirectly show that the vote’s primary purpose is “to re-elect the boss [Putin],” two Russian government officials told The Moscow Times by phone.

“This phrase is associated with the president. For Russia, we have only Vladimir Putin. All the other candidates are not real competitors to him, pose no threat,” one of the officials said, requesting anonymity.

The slogan, though not a direct act of campaigning for Putin, can be seen as an indirect promotion of his candidacy because he often says it, independent election observers told The Moscow Times.

The letter “V,” which only became a public symbol after the invasion of Ukraine, is likewise an implied endorsement of the aggression against Ukraine that Putin launched, independent election expert Roman Udot said.

"Even if the CEC believes that the majority of citizens support the operation, one should not forget about the minority, whose rights the CEC should also take into account," Udot told The Moscow Times.

The Moscow Times has sent a request for comment to the CEC and is waiting for a response.

Putin’s merchandise
Since Putin’s inauguration over 20 years ago, Kremlin political consultants have painted him as a strongman. That image remains his trademark to this day.

But since the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, Putin has also repeatedly invoked the theme of Russian unity against the unjust “intrigues” of the West.

These populist phrases and quotes often make their way onto the Putin merchandise commonly seen in Russian online stores and gift shops.

He has said the quote chosen as the CEC's slogan — “Together we are strong!” — several times in recent years, such as in 2018, when he spoke from a podium in annexed Sevastopol.

"We have become stronger because we are together!" he said in the fall of 2022 after the Kremlin claimed to have annexed Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

The phrase was also heard at last month’s ceremonial meeting in the Kremlin, where Putin agreed to run for a fifth presidential term.

"The military on the frontlines asked me to tell you, dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, to stay with us, because together we are strong, and with you, we will win, you are our president," one of the ceremony’s participants told Putin.

Source: The Moscow Times
 
I am sure that these elections will be termed as one of the worst ones in the history of this country. How can we expect these elections to be free and fair when one of the biggest party of this country is taken to the cleaners by some powerful just because of bias. Pathetic culture should be given up now.
 

Electoral process in Azerbaijan​

The geopolitical environment is frequently characterised by turning points that influence national destiny. The decision to hold early presidential elections in Azerbaijan is a turning point in the country's history and the start of a new one. This transformation was brought about by a historic victory that Azerbaijan won in September 2023. With this historic triumph, Azerbaijan's sovereignty was fully restored, reclaimed regions that had been under occupation for thirty years were freed, and the geopolitical landscape of the region was changed.

The essence of winning itself is the main driving force behind the early presidential elections. When all the variables are taken into account—political manoeuvres, military tactics, the 30-year occupation, difficult terrain, and strong defence lines—the victory is the most amazing development in Azerbaijan's history. A new era began with the liberation of areas and the restoration of complete sovereignty. Because each era has a specific length, this one requires a presidential election to mark the start of a new chapter in the history of the country.

Elections held in every region of Azerbaijan for the first time in its independent history. Considering the importance of presidential elections, this democratic process is more than just a formality; rather, it is a deep expression of the country's dedication to its recently acquired independence. Liberated regions are allowed to vote in the elections, making it a symbol of inclusion that ensures everyone of Azerbaijan is involved in determining its destiny. After more than 20 years in office, President Ilham Aliyev has accomplished a noteworthy feat. This long tenure as leader is cause for contemplation and signifies a self-contained chronological finale. The decision to conduct presidential elections twenty years after the last one was made is both a justifiable step forward for Azerbaijan's political development and a commitment to democratic values.

Azerbaijan is facing a critical crossroads characterised by internal dynamics and strategic concerns against the backdrop of global difficulties. Simplifying the political calendar, holding legislative elections at the same time, and the approaching end of Russia's peacekeeping operation in Karabakh are important variables impacting the political environment. Furthermore, an attempt is being made to stabilise Azerbaijan's internal politics in order to prepare for any unrest stemming from the Russo-Ukrainian War. The military operation in mountainous Karabakh on September 19, however, which led to the breakup of the separatist entity and the eviction of all ethnic Armenians, is the main focus. This occasion has grown to be a pillar of Azerbaijan's national unity, opening the door for a programme of nation-building and the potential creation of a "fourth republic," of which President Aliyev is seen as the architect. The determination to capitalise on President Aliyev's recent emergence as a "victory president" and cement the extraordinary legitimacy and popular support that he has amassed during this revolutionary time is what is driving the next snap election. President Aliyev's statements, especially the ones about his dominance over Armenians, have struck a chord with audiences within the country, highlighting the difficulty in determining the opinions of the broader populace. But in light of recent events, his popularity has skyrocketed to previously unheard-of levels.

There have been obstacles in the way of this historic event. Some nations and international organisations have shown scepticism about Azerbaijan and have sometimes openly opposed it. A diplomatic and political conflict has resulted from certain powerful foreign figures' unwillingness to recognise Azerbaijan's accomplishments. Unfazed, Azerbaijan launched a determined campaign to fight a war of words and diplomacy in order to gain international recognition for its legitimate cause. Independent media has revealed critics who are frequently accused of speaking for rival countries' interests and of trying to discredit Azerbaijan's accomplishments.

The Azerbaijani people's social and economic well-being has significantly improved over time, which is a credit to the government's initiatives. The GDP increased dramatically from 7.3 billion dollars to 78.7 billion dollars between 2003 and 2022, indicating consistent economic expansion. The development of state budget costs and strategic currency reserves was enormous, yet the rate of poverty fell from 44.7% to an astonishing 5.5%.

The freeing of Azerbaijani areas from Armenian captivity after over three decades is a huge achievement, even beyond economic metrics. One million displaced Azerbaijanis may now gradually return to their homes thanks to the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Azerbaijan's image has grown internationally as a result of its development as an international centre that hosts major events like COP-29, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and Formula 1. Azerbaijan's growing global relevance is further demonstrated by its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement.

President Ilham Aliyev's imaginative leadership has proven crucial in the face of international criticism. Strategic geopolitical actions along with ongoing attempts to strengthen Azerbaijan's social and economic fabric have strengthened the country's position internationally. The likelihood of President Ilham Aliyev being re-elected is based on his track record of accomplishment, tenacity, and a vision for the future that builds on the achievements of the past.

The country's dedication to growth, democracy, and an international perspective is reflected in the reasons for the early presidential elections: the start of a new age, a democratic process throughout the country, and the end of a two-decade administration. The difficulties encountered on the global scene only serve to highlight how crucial resiliency and unflinching resolve are to the quest for justice and acknowledgment. There are plenty of chances for Azerbaijan to improve its status internationally and help create a better future for both its citizens and the whole globe in the years to come.

Source: The Express Tribune
 

Confusion reigns in Pakistan’s rigged election​

Until very recently Nawaz Sharif seemed certain to be Pakistan’s next prime minister. On February 6th his Pakistan Muslim League (pml-n) party took out full-page adverts in major Pakistani newspapers announcing its imminent victory in elections on February 8th and anointing Mr Sharif the head of its new government. Assured of the support of the country’s powerful army, which has in effect been running the country through a loyal caretaker government since Parliament was dissolved in August, Mr Sharif, a three-time former prime minister, and his party appeared set to romp home.

That confidence is starting to look premature. Mr Sharif’s path had been cleared by the imprisonment of the country’s most popular politicians, the former prime minister Imran Khan, and de facto outlawing of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (pti) party. Yet early results suggest that pti candidates, running as independents, have nonetheless done much better than expected. More than 24 hours after polls closed, results had been announced for 148 of the country’s 265 directly-elected parliamentary seats. These give independent candidates 61 seats to the pml-n’s 43.

Source: The Economist
www.economist.com

Confusion reigns in Pakistan’s rigged election

Despite their strenuous efforts, the generals appear much less in control than they thought
www.economist.com www.economist.com
 
Cannot say that these elections are 100 percent free and fair but one thing worth noticing in these elections is that nobody was expecting such results. PTI-backed independent candidates are leading the charts with 99 seats out of 250 announced results. 4 to 5 areas are confirmed that were rigged where the independent were winning till last night but they lost eventually after some technical issue in the system.
 
What do you guys have to say about it? It all happened in the RO offices.

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Transparency at polling stations, not in RO offices: FAFEN

Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN ) noted on Saturday that transparency in elections was observed at polling stations, but not in the offices of returning officers (ROs).

Addressing the media at the launch of the electoral watchdog’s preliminary report on the February 8 elections, FAFEN spokesperson Musarrat Qadeem said that delay in the release of poll results, and suspension of internet and mobile services damaged parliamentary efforts made through the Election Act.

The electoral observatory further noted, "The failure to display copies of Form 45, as required, in 29% of polling stations was a notable oversight."

These findings underscore challenges in the electoral process, urging thorough examination and improvement for future elections, the spokesperson noted.

FAFEN emphasised that, "The Election Commission must promptly address and resolve candidates' complaints, as timely resolution is crucial for maintaining electoral credibility."

"Despite these challenges, over 50 million voters participated in the February 8 elections," Musarrat said, observing that while that was a substantial turnout it remained at 48%.

The election, held after two years of continuous deliberation, drew attention to the commitment of political parties to the democratic process, the spokesperson stated, adding that, "Participation of parties in elections reflected their dedication to democracy.

Commending the ECP, she highlighted that, "Holding elections despite criticism demonstrates resilience." "This election was the country's largest endeavor," she observed.

Despite appointing 5,664 observers across the country, FAFEN highlighted certain issues. The spokesperson noted, "Presiding Officers did not provide Form 45 to observers at 28% of polling stations."

Access was denied at RO offices, hindering transparent observations, according to FAFEN.

FAFEN revealed, "The margin of rejected votes was higher than the winning margin in 25 constituencies." Despite challenges, the elections saw a record number of candidates participating, marking a remarkable turnout.

A day earlier, Interior Minister Dr Gohar Ejaz while discussing security challenges faced by the interim government during the general elections stated on Friday that 56 incidents were reported on election day despite the suspension of mobile services.

Addressing a presser along with caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, Ejaz said "The decision to shutdown mobile services was made at a high-level security meeting".

He revealed that the "emergency decisions" were made due to the "martyrdom of 28 individuals" a day earlier to the elections. The mobile services were suspended because the terror attack was "not a suicide attack, but a device bomb attached to a motorcycle".

The minister highlighted the necessity of such measures for the protection of human lives, stating: "These actions were crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals." Furthermore, he reported that "there were 56 incidents on the day of the election, and there were intelligence reports of terrorist incidents taking place."

Eijaz said that "February 8 was a challenging day" as he referenced the terrorist incidents of February 7 in which 26 people were martyred. In light of the Qilla Saifullah incident, he said, "We decided to close mobile signals" in a high-level meeting.

He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, saying, "It was not an easy decision to close mobile signals", justifying it as one taken to "secure lives".

Cellular services suspension

Pakistan witnessed a countrywide shutdown of internet and cellular phone services a day earlier during the polling process with the authorities attributing the move "to maintain law and order" in the wake of the violence that occurred a day earlier.

However, the suspension was denounced by Amnesty International, which described it as a “reckless attack on people’s rights”, as well as experts and political stakeholders, particularly the PTI, a political party that relied heavily on social media platforms for its electoral campaign.

"It has been decided to temporarily suspend mobile services across the country," an interior ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The spokesman added that “precious lives have been lost” in recent militant attacks in the country and "security measures are essential to maintain law and order situation and to deal with potential threats".

tribune.com.pk

Transparency at polling stations, not in RO offices: FAFEN | The Express Tribune

Spokesperson says delay in results caused uncertainty; mobile, internet shutdown impeded parliamentary efforts
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
Security forces in Senegal have clashed with hundreds of protesters who are opposed to the delay of the presidential election that was supposed to take place on February 25.

In Dakar, police fired tear gas on crowds and prevented people from meeting and gathering to protest, according to Al Jazeera’s Nicholas Haque, reporting from the capital on Friday.

“There have been running battles between protesters and police and security forces. Most of the demonstrators are quite young, many 18-year-olds. They were barely 12 when President Macky Sall came to power. They want to have a say in this election,” Haque said.

Less than three weeks before the polls were meant to take place, parliament voted to push it back to December 15, upholding Sall’s earlier postponement announcement and sealing an extension of his mandate.

But the move has provoked fears that one of the remaining healthy democracies in coup-hit West Africa is under threat.

In the capital on Friday, some demonstrators waved Senegalese flags, while others shouted slogans like “Macky Sall is a dictator”, the Reuters news agency reported.

At Blaise Diagne high school in Dakar, hundreds of pupils left their lessons mid-morning after teachers heeded the call to protest. History and geography teacher Assane Sene said it was just the start of the battle.

“If the government is stubborn, we will have to try different approaches,” he told the AFP news agency.

senegal
A protester throws a stone during clashes with police in Dakar [Guy Peterson/AFP]
Sall, who has reached his constitutional limit of two terms, said he delayed the elections due to a dispute over the candidate list that threatened the credibility of the electoral process.

The decision has unleashed widespread anger on social media and the opposition has condemned it as a “constitutional coup”.

Source: Al Jazeera
 
Election results delay casts shadow over poll credibility: Fafen

The Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) on Saturday noted that the delay in the preparation and announcement of preliminary election results overshadowed an otherwise orderly election, raising questions about the credibility of the election outcome.

In its preliminary report on recently conducted general elections, Fafen also highlighted that the caretaker government’s suspension of cellular and internet services on election day, regardless of security reasons, undermined years of parliamentary efforts to reform the election results management process through amendments to the Elections Act, 2017, which were meant to maximise the integrity, efficiency and transparency of electoral outcomes.

“Nevertheless, the country has found a closure to a period of unsettling uncertainty that was not only exhausting for the people but also for the economy, with lingering inflation, unemployment and general disenchantment,” the network said.

“Now, it is the responsibility of political parties to bring to end their obstinate disengagement for a smooth transition of power to ensure the much-needed political stability in the country.”

Fafen said in the report that around 60 million voters went to the polls in Pakistan on Feb 8 to elect their representatives in 265 National Assembly and 590 provincial assembly constituencies in one of the country’s most competitive political contests.

It said that plausibly due to the supply of fewer copies than required at every polling station, presiding officers at more than one quarter (28.4 per cent) of the 2,761 polling stations covered by the preliminary report did not provide a copy of Form 45 (result of the count) to Fafen observers, as clearly required by the Elections Act, 2017.

Similarly, presiding officers at around half (49pc) of these polling stations did not provide the observers with Form 46 (ballot paper account), again a violation of clear legal provisions.

In addition, Form 45 was not affixed at a conspicuous place outside almost one-third (29.4pc) of the observed polling stations, a measure that is necessary to ensure electoral transparency at the first critical stage of the result management process.

It said that compared to the relative procedural transparency at polling stations, Fafen’s observers were not as consistently permitted at the offices of returning officers (ROs) to observe the preparation process of preliminary electoral results.

Of 244 National Assembly constituencies, ROs in only about half (114) of the constituencies allowed Fafen observers to witness the result tabulation proceedings. The fact that ROs in 130 constituencies refused permission to observers contravened the instructions by the ECP to allow all independent observation of all stages of election result preparation, a vital measure for electoral transparency.

The constituencies where Fafen observers were refused permission included 78 in Punjab, 21 in Sindh, 17 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11 in Balochistan and three in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Restrictions on one or more candidates and their agents to be present at the tabulation proceedings were also reported from 66 NA constituencies, including 46 in Punjab, 10 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, five in Sindh, three in Balochistan and two in ICT.

During the nomination process, 171 returning officers refused to allow Fafen observers to inspect the nomination papers of contesting candidates as per Form 31 (notice in respect of nominated candidates), disregarding the provision of Section 60(7) of the Elections Act.

Similarly, 88 returning officers barred Fafen observers from observing the candidate scrutiny process. A similar pattern was also observed in earlier general elections where ROs tended to act independently.

As many as 1.6 million ballots were excluded from the count by the presiding officers at polling stations in 235 NA constituencies. This number is almost the same as that excluded during the 2018 general elections.

Fafen’s analysis suggests that there are 25 NA constituencies where the number of ballots excluded from the count exceeds the margin of victory, including 23 in Punjab and one each in KP and Sindh.

The network also mentioned in the report that the late delimitation of constituencies, triggered after the announcement of the seventh digital population census days before the dissolution of the National Assembly in August 2023, delayed the elections beyond the constitutionally stipulated 90-day period and created a disadvantage for political parties and candidates in their election preparations.

The report noted that the ECP did not publish progressive polling station-wise results on its website. The adherence to the recent amendments to the Elections Act, particularly focusing on improving the efficiency and transparency of the election result management process, remained weak, raising questions on the integrity of the election outcome.

The recent amendments to the Elections Act required the ROs to issue Form 47 (provisional consolidated statement of the result of the count) at 2am the day following the election day, even if it is partially complete, and to complete by 10am the provisional result at any cost.

However, the ROs failed to issue progressive results despite the Election Commission’s post-midnight instructions that were also publicised, and voters had to rely on media coverage of polling station results, with many making conclusions based on incomplete information.

SOURCE: DAWN
 
PTI's Babar Awan rejects poll results

PTI leader Babar Awan rejected the poll results and termed the February 8 elections "the most controversial in Pakistan's history".

Awan. speaking to the media outside the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad, said the party was challenging the results in Sargodha and Faisalabad constituencies, as "our candidates emerged victorious".

"Nawaz Sharif is persistently trying to win since February 9. Despite winning a significant majority, we do not accept the election results." He added that "Australia, America, and Britain have also rejected the results".​

SOURCE: TRIBUNE
 
Candidates for Iran’s parliament began campaigning Thursday in the country’s first election since the bloody crackdown on the 2022 nationwide protests that followed the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.

State television said 15,200 candidates will compete for a four-year term in the 290-seat chamber that hardliners have controlled for two decades.

That is a record number and more than twice the candidates who contested the 2020 election, when voter turnout was just over 42 percent, the lowest since 1979.

Amini died on Sept. 16, 2022, after her arrest by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the country’s strict headscarf law that forced women to cover their hair and entire bodies. The protests quickly escalated into calls to overthrow Iran’s clerical rulers. In the severe crackdown that followed, over 500 people were killed and nearly 20,000 arrested, according to human rights activists in Iran.

On Wednesday, the Guardian Council election watchdog sent the names of the 15,200 qualified candidates to the interior ministry, which holds the election. Any candidate for elections in Iran must be approved by the Council, a 12-member clerical body, half of whom are directly appointed by the supreme leader.

The candidates include 1,713 women, which is more than double the 819 who competed in 2020.

The election will be held March 1, and the new parliament will convene in late May.

Current parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf will run for election from his hometown, a constituency in the remote northeast, after winning a seat in the capital Tehran four years ago. Such a change in districts usually indicates shrinking popularity. In recent years, his fellow hardline critics occasionally accused him of ignoring the rights of other parliament members and disregarding reports of corruption while he was Tehran mayor.

Incumbent assembly member President Ebrahim Raisi will seek reelection to the assembly in a remote constituency in South Khorasan province, competing against a low-profile cleric.

In a simultaneous election, 144 clerics will compete for the all-cleric 88-seat Assembly of Experts that functions as an advisory body to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters. Their term of service is eight years.

Under Iran’s constitution, the assembly monitors the country’s supreme leader and chooses his successor. Khamenei will be 85 in April. He has been supreme leader for 34 years.

Source: Al Arabiya

 
The so-called elections in Iran are nothing but a facade. Under the dictatorship of the supreme leader, genuine democracy is a distant dream.
 
Feb 8 polls record lowest fairness score since 2013: PILDAT

The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has issued a report detailing its assessment of the recently-concluded general election, expressing deep concerns over a decline in fairness scores compared to previous election cycles.

The comprehensive report, based on independent analysis and questionnaires scored by a diverse cross-section of civil society, highlights several issues that have adversely impacted the quality and credibility of the electoral process.

Pre-poll phase concerns

The assessment report identified significant concerns during the pre-poll phase, including delays in scheduling the election, political repression, lack of impartiality from caretaker governments and state institutions, and deteriorating law and order in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The impartiality of key institutions such as the judiciary, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), caretaker governments at both federal and provincial levels, media, security forces, and intelligence agencies were also examined. The overall assessment score for the pre-poll phase in the February 8 polls stood at 50%, matching that of 2018 but falling short of the 2013 score of 62%.

Polling day challenges

On polling day, the suspension of mobile phone and internet services compromised the Election Management System (EMS) and hindered public participation in the electoral process. The delay in announcing provisional results beyond the deadline set by the Elections Act, 2017, raised serious questions about the election's credibility.

Widespread allegations of discrepancy between Forms-45 and Form-47 further added to concerns, along with the delay in publishing Forms 45, 46, 48, and 49 on the ECP website, violating the Elections Act, 2017.

Assessment scores

The assessment scores for the 2024 general election indicate a decline in various phases. The pre-poll phase received an overall score of 50%, the polling day process scored 58% (lower than 2018 but higher than 2013), and the post-poll phase scored an alarming 40%, an all-time low that mirrors the post-poll rigging observed in the 2002 election.

The overall quality of this year’s polls received a score of 49%, below 50% and lower than the scores of the past two elections (52% for GE-2018 and 57% for GE-2013), raising substantial concerns about the electoral process's quality.

Recommendations by PILDAT

PILDAT recommends that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducts a thorough and impartial investigation into delays in the transmission, consolidation, and announcement of provisional results, the lack of contingency planning for EMS inoperability, and the failure to publish signed copies of forms within the stipulated timeframe.

The institute also calls for election tribunals to resolve disputes on a case-by-case basis within the legal deadline of 180 days, expressing concern over the insufficient number of election tribunals in Punjab. The think tank demands an increase in the number of election tribunals to ensure timely resolution of all election petitions.

Furthermore, PILDAT proposes the establishment of a commission of inquiry, similar to the one formed after the 2013 elections, to comprehensively investigate the concerns raised during the Feb 8 polls.

tribune.com.pk

Feb 8 polls record lowest fairness score since 2013: PILDAT | The Express Tribune

Think tank proposes establishment of inquiry commission, similar to one formed after 2013 elections
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
A government-appointed panel on Thursday recommended India hold elections to state assemblies and the national parliament at the same time, saying the process would increase transparency and inclusivity and improve governance and growth.

The panel, appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in September, submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, days before an election date is expected to be set.

The report will not affect the upcoming elections, which have to be held by May, as a "one nation, one election" law will have to be passed by parliament and ratified by states, many of which are ruled by Modi's rivals and have opposed the idea as they say it violates India's federal politics.

Nearly one billion voters are eligible to vote in the general elections, but polls to the 28 state assemblies are spread out as they take place when their five-year terms end.

"Asynchronous elections cause uncertainty and instability, thwarting supply chains, business investments and economic growth," the panel, led by former president Ram Nath Kovind, said.

The nine-member panel said it found that real GDP growth was higher when simultaneous polls were held, compared to a decrease when they were not.

Simultaneous polls used to be the norm in India, but the cycle was disrupted decades back, resulting in the current staggered system.

The panel recommended that as a first step, simultaneous elections be held to the lower house of parliament and state assemblies, with the terms of state assemblies being curtailed or extended to synchronise with parliamentary elections.

In the second phase, elections to local bodies such as municipalities and village councils would be held within a hundred days of state and national elections.

Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have pushed for combining state and federal elections as it would also help cut the cost of conducting polls in the world's most populous country and ensure politicians are focused on governance rather than electioneering.

 
Modi has become a dictator, and India has become a one-party state, so elections in India are meaningless.
 
"No Scope For Hiding Things In Democracy": Election Chief On Electoral Bonds
The Election Commission, asked about political funding through electoral bonds -- a process scrapped recently by the Supreme Court -- said today that it was "all for transparency". "There is no scope for hiding things in democracy," said Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar

The Commission is always in favour of transparency and remained so when submitted its response to the issue in the Supreme Court," Mr Kumar said.

On whether it is possible induce political parties to reveal the amounts of donation, as happens in the US, he said the country also has to ask and find a solution through an instrument where the donor's identity is also not disclosed.

www.ndtv.com

"No Scope For Hiding Things In Democracy": Election Chief On Electoral Bonds

"No Scope For Hiding Things In Democracy": Election Chief On Electoral Bonds
www.ndtv.com www.ndtv.com
 
Dictatorship exist in China… 1.5 billion ppls don’t have election…. Bunch of commies leaders taking decisions… when the democracy enters China? When the world heard real voice of China?
 
FearlessRoar said:
Here, I was talking about dictatorship in India, not in China
Click to expand...
Yes.. Modi is a dictator against corrupt politicians, dynasties political parties, terrorists, separatist, leftist, liberals, goondaism, terrorists harbouring countries..

Modiji is good for India and Indian peoples
 
Indian election commission announced dates of Indian election. Election will commence from 19th April and conducted in 7 phase till 20th May…. 92 crores voters will cast their votes which is larger than entire population of US and Europe

Results will be on 4th June
 
Indonesia's defence minister Prabowo Subianto has been declared the winner of last month's presidential election in the world's third largest democracy.

Mr Prabowo appealed for unity as his two rivals, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, vowed to contest the result.

The former general, who had been dogged by allegations of human rights abuse for decades, won 58.59% of the votes.

He had endeared himself to social media-savvy voters with TikTok videos that cast him as a cuddly grandpa.

"For those who didn't vote for us, give us a chance," the 72-year-old said after the elections commission announced the official count on Wednesday night.

"We will prove that we are a president and vice president who will work as hard as possible for all the Indonesian people," he said.

He will assume office in October, taking over from President Joko Widodo, who is more popularly known as Jokowi.

Eighty percent of 205 million registered voters across 17,000 islands and three time zones trooped to polling centres last 14 February, making it the world's largest single-day election.

Mr Prabowo's votes exceeded the majority required to avoid a runoff. Mr Anies and Mr Ganjar got 25% and 16%, respectively.

Mr Prabowo thanked the popular Jokowi, whose tacit backing is widely believed to have helped him win. The former general lost two presidential elections to Mr Jokowi in 2014 and 2019.

His running mate - now the vice president-elect - is Mr Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was only able to run only after a last-minute lowering of a minimum age requirement.

Mr Prabowo claimed victory after the election on 14 February when unofficial tallies showed he had a strong lead over his rivals. World leaders have also congratulated him over the past weeks.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended his "sincere congratulations" and applauded Indonesians for "their robust turnout and commitment to democracy and the rule of law".

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that he looked forward "to deepening our strategic partnership even further", a view echoed by the French foreign ministry.

Anticipating protests from Mr Anies' and Mr Ganjar's supporters, police deployed more than 3,000 officers to stand guard across the capital city Jakarta before official results were announced.

Demonstrators have taken to the streets in the past weeks alleging widespread election fraud.

Among other things, Mr Anies and Mr Ganjar had earlier alleged that Mr Gibran's candidacy was a part of behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that showed Mr Jokowi's partiality for the Prabowo-Gibran camp.

Mr Anies said on Wednesday that there had been election irregularities and that his legal team would take it to court.

"A leadership born out of a sullied process, with deviations, fraud, will produce a regime with unjust policies," Reuters news agency cited him as saying.

The head of Mr Ganjar's legal team had also told BBC Indonesia they would challenge the result in court. They have to do so within the next three days, according to the country's laws.

"There have been a lot of complaints about irregularities. This election in the Reformasi era is considered [by many] to be less free and fair than previous elections in the post-Suharto period," Indonesian professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar told the BBC's Newsday programme on Thursday.

The Reformasi, also known as the Reform era, began with the fall of Indonesia's authoritarian president Suharto in May 1998.

"Academics and civil society organisations throughout the country have been expressing concerns over [alleged] ethical and legal violations, and improper, or you might even say illegal, use of state resources," said Ms Dewi, a professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency

Source: BBC
 
A great setback for Erdogan's party
====
Turkey's main opposition party has claimed big election victories in the main cities of Istanbul and Ankara.

The results are a significant blow for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had hoped to regain control of the cities less than a year after he claimed a third term as president.

He led the campaign to win in Istanbul, where he grew up and became mayor.

But Ekrem Imamoglu, who first won the city in 2019, scored a second victory for the secular opposition CHP.

Mr Erdogan had vowed a new era in Turkey's megacity of almost 16 million people, but the incumbent mayor of Istanbul was on course to win more than 50% of the vote, defeating the president's AK Party candidate by more than 11 points and almost one million votes.

This was also the first time since Mr Erdogan came to power 21 years ago that his party was defeated across the country at the ballot box.

In the capital Ankara, opposition mayor Mansur Yavas was so far ahead of his rival on 60% that he declared victory when less than half the votes were in. Supporters blocked all the main roads in the city, waving flags and sounding their car horns.

Significantly, the CHP was also on course to win in many of Turkey's other big cities, including Izmir and Bursa, Adana and the resort of Antalya.

President Erdogan, 70, acknowledged the election had not gone as he had hoped, but he told supporters in Ankara it would mark "not an end for us but rather a turning point"

Source: BBC
 

Belgium probes Russian interference in EU elections​


Less than two months before European voters in 27 countries take part in EU Parliament elections, Belgium says it is investigating pro-Russian networks that are trying to influence the vote.

Moscow's aim was to bring more pro-Russian candidates into the European Parliament, said Prime Minister Alexander de Croo.

"Weakened support for Ukraine serves Russia on the battlefield," he said.

The Czech government said recently that it had broken up a pro-Kremlin network.

Intelligence agencies both in Prague and Poland said the Voice of Europe news website had been funded by Moscow to spread propaganda and funnel cash to sympathetic European politicians. The website has not responded to the allegations.

Referring to the Czech revelations, Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said Belgian intelligence had confirmed that spy networks were operating in Belgium and several other European countries.

"The investigation shows that Moscow has approached European members of parliament, [and] has also paid European members of parliament in order to promote a Russian agenda here," the Belgian prime minister said.

He said Belgian authorities had launched a prosecution but did not give names of anyone suspected of receiving money. No cash payment had taken place in Belgium itself although pro-Russian interference was going on, he explained.

A number of politicians on the far right in Europe are viewed as sympathetic to Russia. Czech reports have suggested that the Voice of Europe paid politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary in exchange for making pro-Russian remarks to help influence the 6-9 June elections.

Earlier this week a candidate for Germany's far-right AfD party, Petr Bystron, "vehemently denied" allegations in Czech media that he had received Russian cash.

Moscow's aim was to bring more pro-Russian candidates into the European Parliament, the Belgian leader said, adding that he had been in touch with his Czech counterpart and the heads of the European Commission and European Parliament.

"We cannot allow this type of Russian menace in our midst," he said, emphasising that his country had a responsibility to ensure a free and safe vote during the European Parliament elections.

The Belgian capital Brussels is both home to the EU's executive, the European Commission, and one of the homes of the Parliament.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has warned that actions of the pro-Russian network risk having a serious impact on both Czech and EU security. His government has imposed sanctions on both the Voice of Europe website and two pro-Russian Ukrainians.

www.bbc.com

Belgium probes Russian interference in EU elections

Two months before Europeans vote in 27 countries, Moscow is accused of trying to influence the vote.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 

Kiribati’s pro-China leader faces an election test​


The remote Pacific Island nation of Kiribati headed to the polls on Wednesday in a general election that could hold profound implications for the South Pacific region.

The archipelago, which has a population of about 116,000, is viewed as strategically valuable to both China and the United States due to its relatively close proximity to Hawaii and its relatively vast claim of oceanic territory, according to experts.

In recent years its government has also forged strong relations with Beijing, after current long-time President Taneti Maamau shifted the country’s ties from Taiwan to China in 2019.

Now, as President Maamau seeks to extend his near decade in power, outside observers are watching and waiting to see where Kiribati’s geopolitical allegiances will fall.

“In the space of five years we've seen a very rapid escalation of China’s political access, economic influence, and increasingly security access into Kiribati and the territory that it controls – a hugely significant change brought on by the incumbent president,” Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific Islands program at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, told BBC News

“That's the issue that’s at stake: this rapid escalation in ties between Kiribati and China.” On the ground, Mr Sora said, the I-Kirabiti people will likely have voted based on issues affecting them day-to-day, such as the cost of living, the economy, and the “poor state of government services”.
“But internationally, of course, people will be interested in what foreign policy posture would a new government take,” he added. While US efforts to establish an embassy in Kiribati stall, China’s presence in the country has become increasingly tangible. In February, Reuters reported that Chinese police had begun working alongside local authorities on the ground in Kiribati.
Last month, China donated riot control gear to the Kiribati police force, saying it was willing to “elevate China-Kiribati relations to a new level”, according to a post on Kiribati Police Service’s Facebook.

From China’s perspective, Kiribati has become increasingly strategically valuable as geopolitical rivalries in the South Pacific grow, according to Mr Sora. It is for this same reason that warming ties between the two nations have stoked anxieties in the West. “Ultimately the scenario that the US and allies will be looking to avoid is the establishment of infrastructure that has you seeing Chinese vessels on rotation in Kiribati, for example, or the placement of personnel,” Mr Sora said.
“The implication of the incumbent retaining power is that this trajectory continues and China increases and consolidates its strategic access to Kiribati.

"And that changes regional security dynamics. It adds a security overhead to the Pacific Islands region that we haven't seen for a long time."
Blake Johnson, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said from Kiribati’s perspective, China is likely seen as a valuable development partner that can provide support against economic and climatic concerns.

“Obviously a lot of these [South Pacific] countries are quite small, they're facing large climate and environmental threats, and so they need access to a range of partners to really keep building on their development. And that includes China,” Mr Johnson told BBC Newsday.
As people on the ground in Kiribati cast their votes,

Source: BBC
 
US and China will be fighting over all these small island nations for superiority. They will keep interfering in the elections of all these poor small nations.
 

Mozambique’s controversial election result upheld: What to know​


The top electoral court in Mozambique has largely upheld the results of the country’s disputed October elections, re-affirming the governing Frelimo party’s decades-long hold on power, and leading to fears of more violence in a country already rocked by weeks of deadly protests.

In a ruling on Monday, judges of the Constitutional Council named Daniel Chapo as the next president, confirming that the Frelimo candidate won 65 percent of the vote, as opposed to a previously announced 70 percent. It also awarded main challenger Venancio Mondlane four more points in the polls, giving him a total 24 percent share.

That ruling did little to appease supporters of the firebrand opposition presidential candidate who claims he won the elections. Mondlane had threatened “chaos” before the court’s announcement, and urged his supporters to “shut down” the country this week if Frelimo’s win was confirmed.

The country of 34 million people has been on edge since the October 9 general elections. Mondlane’s supporters, mostly hundreds of thousands of young people, have since taken to the streets, and have met gunfire from security forces.

At least 110 people had died across the country by Monday, according to rights group Amnesty International. Other monitoring groups have put the death toll at up to 130.

Here’s what to know about what happened in the elections; why the vote was controversial; and what may happen next

Source: The Express Tribune
 
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