ISLAMABAD, Sept. 15: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has urged the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to make public its findings on the February 2024 general elections, alleging that the report exposes “systemic rigging, institutional bias, and deliberate targeting” of the party and its founder Imran Khan, Dawn reported.
The controversy erupted after independent outlet Drop Site News claimed the COG had “buried” its report despite recording widespread irregularities during the polls. Some media outlets claimed to have accessed leaked versions of the assessment, though its authenticity remains unverified.
In a statement, the COG acknowledged awareness of an online version of the report but refused to comment on leaked material. “The government and the Election Commission of Pakistan have already received the report. The full report will be released later this month along with other pending reports,” it said, stressing that its work remains independent and free of external influence.
Election observation missions typically release findings within days or weeks of polling, raising questions over the delay. The COG had announced its preliminary observations on February 10, 2024, promising a full report for public release after submission to the Commonwealth secretary general.
Excerpts from the leaked copy allegedly noted: “Despite early vote counts indicating a landslide victory for candidates aligned with the banned PTI, polling leads were rapidly reversed.”
PTI leaders said the delay reinforced concerns over electoral transparency. Party Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said the leaked report validated PTI’s claims of “widespread pre- and post-poll rigging.” Former Imran Khan aide Zulfi Bukhari announced plans to seek legal action to secure disclosure of the report and the decision-making process behind its alleged suppression.