Islamabad: Two years after Pakistan's highly competitive General Elections of February 2024, the country remains embroiled in electoral controversies and has yet to see the emergence of a structured reform process. Over 60 million Pakistanis participated in the election, but the aftermath has been dominated by challenges to the results, contributing to ongoing political instability.

According to Free and Fair Election Network, election tribunals have been inundated with 374 petitions challenging the outcomes of both National and Provincial Assembly constituencies. These challenges, spanning across the political spectrum, indicate systemic concerns rather than isolated grievances. Many petitions remain unresolved, exacerbating political uncertainty and placing strain on institutional frameworks.

A focal point of contention has been the election's results management and consolidation process. Political actors have highlighted delays, inconsistencies between polling station-level results and consolidated constituency results, and limited public access to real-time data. Despite assertions by the Election Commission of Pakistan that the process adhered to the legal framework, the episode has highlighted the need for reforms in results transparency and verification.

FAFEN has advocated for the optimization of the Results Management System (RMS) to enhance scrutiny of results before the notification of returned candidates. By incorporating automated and manual cross-verification processes and anomaly detection protocols, the RMS could improve the integrity of electoral outcomes and reduce litigation.

The situation draws parallels to the post-2013 electoral crisis, which led to significant reforms under the Elections Act, 2017, following cross-party consultations and engagement with civil society. However, despite the contentious nature of the 2024 elections, no similar multi-party reform mechanism has been established to address systemic weaknesses.

Two years on, the lack of a structured reform agenda threatens to entrench mistrust and exacerbate political polarization. Addressing vulnerabilities in results management and dispute resolution remains crucial to restoring confidence and ensuring stability in future electoral processes.