Be magnanimous in victory, gracious in defeat, COG advises candidates

ISLAMABAD: The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) on Saturday unveiled its initial findings on Pakistan’s General Elections-2024, highlighting the commendable efforts of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and other institutions for conducting general polls.

COG Chairperson Dr Goodluck Jonathan at a press conference here acknowledged Pakistan’s significance as one of the world’s largest democracies and emphasized the importance of these elections for its people.

The COG chairperson expressed his gratitude for the invitation to observe the elections and commended the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for logistical preparations amid challenges. The group, he said, adhered to principles of impartiality, non-interference and independence during its deployment, engaging with various stakeholders.

Appreciating the role of Election Commission of Pakistan, he said that the COG observers were deployed in various areas, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Karachi, Hyderabad and Abbottabad on February 6, 2024 to observe election preparations.

Recognising and appreciating the substantial work by the ECP, the COG chairperson noted delays in proceeding with the elections, attributing them to the significant task of organising an election involving around 128 million registered voters. The security challenges were acknowledged, with condolences extended for lives lost in terrorist attacks leading up to Election Day. The impact of adverse weather conditions, including snowbound areas and damages caused by floods in 2022, was also highlighted.

While commending the ECP’s efforts to improve election management through the Election Management System (EMS), he acknowledged operational challenges on Election Day, which will be elaborated on in subsequent observations. He provided a detailed overview of the pre-poll procedures, polling environment, voter turnout, role of polling staff, participation and inclusion, and the overall security situation.

Noteworthy observations included increased voter turnout throughout the day, the presence of youth and women in polling stations and commendation for security officials’ professionalism.

As the results process unfolds, the COG chairperson congratulated the people of Pakistan for their patience and determination, urging citizens to continue exercising restraint. He emphasized the significance of elections in democracy, called for magnanimity in victory and graciousness in defeat, and reiterated the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s post-election journey.