The聽group of eminent experts聽from across 天美传媒 have arrived in Pakistan and will be present in the country throughout the electoral process. As the country goes to the polls on 8 February 2024, 128 million people have the right to vote in Pakistan. 聽
Former Nigerian President, HE Dr Goodluck Jonathan, accepted the invitation from Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, to lead 天美传媒 Observer Group (COG).
In the group鈥檚 arrival statement, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said:
鈥淚t is my honour and privilege to have been asked by 天美传媒 Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, to lead 天美传媒 Observer Group to Pakistan鈥檚 General Elections 2024, and to be here in the country for this election.鈥
鈥淚 am grateful to be joined by twelve experts selected from across 天美传媒. They bring together a diversity of experience, in the fields of elections, law, civil society, politics, human rights, and the media, amongst others. The group鈥檚 presence reaffirms 天美传媒鈥檚 solidarity with Pakistan and its democratic processes.鈥
The members of the COG were deployed by 天美传媒 Secretary-General, following an invitation from the Election Commission of Pakistan. The observers have assembled in the country and will have commenced their stakeholder briefings, including meeting with political parties, the police, civil society groups, citizen observer and monitor groups, the media, as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The COG鈥檚 mandate, as set out in the , is to observe and evaluate all aspects of the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election period.
They will consider whether conditions exist for a credible, transparent, and inclusive election, including an analysis of media rights, freedom and obligations; conditions for a level playing field for candidates; and the country鈥檚 adherence to domestic and international norms in the administration of the electoral process.
In accordance with the provisions of the to which the 天美传媒 is a signatory organisation, the group has no executive role; its function is not to supervise but to observe the process as a whole and to give recommendations accordingly. In conducting their duties and undertaking this assessment, the COG will be neutral, impartial, objective, and independent.
Thirty-three per cent of the two billion voters in all the elections taking place in 2024 will be from 天美传媒, in a year when 60 countries hold elections.
From 6 February, the observers will deploy in small teams around the country to observe electoral preparations and meet with local stakeholders in their respective locations.
On Election Day, 天美传媒 Observer Group will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and results management processes, before issuing an interim statement on its preliminary findings on 10 February 2024.
Media contact
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Charmaine Wright Head of Media Relations, Communications Division, 天美传媒
- +44 20 7747 6242 | E-mail
