By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The United States on Monday urged Pakistan to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations of irregularities and fraud in the February 8 general elections, saying that the legal system should play itself out first.
The State Department’s spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US was concerned about some of the reports of interference and violence that marred the electoral process, and called for the respect of the rule of law, constitution, and democratic institutions in Pakistan.
“We want to ensure that the claims of interference and fraud that we have seen raised are fully investigated by Pakistan’s legal system,” Miller said at a briefing in Washington, citing a report by Dawn newspaper. “That’s the appropriate first step to take, and we think that’s the step that should be taken.”
Miller said that the US was also open to other options, if needed, to address the concerns of the opposition parties and civil society groups that have demanded an independent probe into the election results.
Some US lawmakers have also urged the Biden administration not to recognize the outcome of the polls until the inquiry is completed.
“If there are additional steps that ought to be entertained, we are happy to look into that,” Miller said. “Certainly, we want to see the freedom of assembly respected anywhere in the world.”
The final results of the February 8 polls, which were delayed by several days, raised doubts over the transparency and credibility of the elections. Several political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), have alleged widespread irregularities and rigging in the voting and counting process.
The PTI-backed independent candidates won the most seats in the National Assembly, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). However, no party was able to secure a simple majority, and the other parties, including PPP, PML-N, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), have initiated talks to form a coalition government.
Miller congratulated the people of Pakistan for participating in the elections, and also praised the Pakistani poll workers, civil society, journalists, and election observers for their efforts to protect and uphold the democratic and electoral institutions.
He said that the US had expressed its concerns publicly and privately, and joined the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries in doing so, over some of the irregularities that were observed in the election process.
The US had also conveyed to Pakistan the need for its government to respect the will of the people and the outcome of the elections. “We emphasize that we want to see the rule of law, respect for constitution, free press, vibrant civil society respected in the run-up to the elections and we continue to believe that is the case,” he said.
Miller also acknowledged that the restrictions imposed on the internet and cell phone service during the election had a negative impact on the process. “We condemn political and election-related violence and restrictions on internet and cell phone service; those negatively impacted the electoral service.”
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
