Editorial
Pakistan’s electoral history is riddled with accusations of rigging, manipulation, and voter suppression. Yet, the 2024 general elections mark a troubling shift—not just in the scale of these malpractices but in their brazenness. For the first time, Pakistan witnessed not merely the manipulation of pre-election narratives or the suppression of candidates through censorship and coercion, but a direct assault on the integrity of the ballot itself. From forged votes and ballot paper tampering to systematic delays in results and the manipulation of Form 47, the election was marred by unprecedented irregularities.
What began as concerns over pre-poll rigging quickly evolved into a full-blown post-poll crisis. Reports from multiple constituencies indicated major discrepancies between Form 45 (polling station-level results) and Form 47 (consolidated results). International media outlets such as Al Jazeera, BBC, and The Guardian raised serious questions about the credibility of the election process. Local observers and electoral watchdogs corroborated these concerns, confirming that this was not isolated misconduct but a widespread, coordinated effort to distort the electoral outcome.
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The cornerstone of any democracy is the sanctity of the vote. When a state attempts to alter or override the will of its citizens, it undermines the foundational principle of governance “by the people.” Election rigging is not just a political problem—it is a constitutional and democratic failure. It signals that the electoral system has been co-opted by powerful actors who seek to manufacture consent rather than reflect it. This transforms democracy into a mere ritual devoid of real representation.
Alarming incidents were reported where polling agents were expelled from stations, denied access to results, and even intimidated. Many returning officers confessed to being under pressure, and result announcements were delayed for hours or even days—an unjustifiable delay in an era of digital transparency.
This pattern has created a legitimacy crisis that threatens the core of Pakistan’s democracy. If voters believe their ballots are meaningless, public participation will decline, paving the way for protest politics, political unrest, and democratic disillusionment.
The 2024 elections must serve as a wake-up call. Without urgent electoral reforms, legal safeguards, and a robust accountability mechanism, the electoral process will continue to lose its credibility. Democracy cannot survive on the illusion of choice—it must be built on trust, transparency, and the genuine representation of the people’s will.
