Washington: Amid the allegations of rigging and result manipulation in the general elections held on February 8 in Pakistan, The United States Senator Chris Van Hollen has called upon Pakistani authorities to thoroughly investigate allegations of fraud and electoral interference.
In a letter addressed to Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, Van Hollen expressed grave concerns over reported irregularities that tainted the electoral process.
Acknowledging the significant turnout of Pakistani citizens from all walks of life, Van Hollen emphasized the fundamental role of free and fair elections in democracies worldwide. However, he highlighted that the elections were marred by political violence, restrictions on political expression, and accusations of vote rigging.
Expressing condolences to victims of attacks during the election campaign in Balochistan, Van Hollen joined his colleague, Senator Cardin from Maryland, in condemning the violence and loss of life. He underscored the need for Pakistani authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the alleged irregularities to uphold the integrity of the electoral outcome.
“The White House National Security Communications Advisor, John Kirby also expressed his concerns about the intimidation and voter suppression. Months before the February 8 vote which was originally scheduled for November 2023, independent election observers made allegations of biased redistricting,”
“Without a credible investigation, a new government will struggle to bring the Pakistani people together. Pakistan’s current economic and security challenges require a strong government with the backing of the Pakistani people to make the difficult but necessary decisions,” he said.
Furthermore, Van Hollen raised concerns over biased redistricting and irregularities reported by independent election observers leading up to the elections. He stressed that respecting the will of the Pakistani people, as expressed through their votes, is essential for forming a strong government capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
In light of the mass protests triggered by allegations of election rigging, Pakistani authorities imposed restrictions on social media platforms and internet access. The United States condemned these measures, with State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller urging Pakistan to respect freedom of expression and restore access to social media platforms. The US emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring transparency in the electoral process.
“The Washington is in touch with Pakistan through all official channels to urge to respect freedom of expression and restore access to any social media that has been restricted, including ‘X’.” Miller said.
