Sindh, nine in Islamabad and three in Although at a much smaller scale, instances

Balochistan. of polling agents marking ballot papers in

place of voters were observed at 209 polling
As a result of improved training of election
stations – 117 in Punjab, 45 in KP, 38 in Sindh,
officials conducted by the Election
eight in Balochistan and one in Islamabad.
Commission, the procedural irregularities in
Such practices have continued to persist
ballot processing that FAFEN had observed
and may only be deterred if polling officials
and reported in previous elections appear
at such polling stations are penalized. The
to have reduced. FAFEN observers reported
Election Commission may employ CCTV
at least one instance of an Assistant
footage, wherever available, in an effort to
Presiding Officer not signing on the backs of
identify the responsible polling staff at polling
ballot papers before issuing them to voters
stations where such irregularities were
at 814 of 37,001 observed polling stations –
observed.
496 in Punjab, 195 in Sindh, 91 in KP, 23 in
Balochistan and nine in Islamabad. Such A weak accountability of legal
ballot papers are excluded from the count responsibilities of polling staff has also
under the provisions of the Election Law, allowed some other irregularities to persist in
even if the voter has legally acquired and elections. For example, FAFEN observers
marked the ballot with his/her choice. reported at least one instance of polling
staff, polling agents or unauthorized persons
The Election Commission has taken
inside polling stations such as persons who
extraordinary measures over the last few
have already cast their votes influencing
years to address the concerns of Persons
voters by signaling towards a specific
with Disabilities (PWDs) particularly under the
candidate/party or asking the voters about
aegis of its Gender and Disability Working
their voting choice at 1,571 of 37,001
Group. The new law also includes specific
observed polling stations. Similarly, despite
provisions to enhance electoral and political
categorical guidelines by the Election
participation of PWDs alongside other
Commission that are adequately covered in
marginalized groups including minorities,
the handbooks provided to the Presiding
transgender persons and women. In
Officer, the presence of unauthorized
addition to allowing PWDs the facility of
persons in polling stations also remains a
postal ballot, the law also requires polling
persistent issue in most elections that FAFEN
staff to allow PWDs a companion of their
has observed. FAFEN observers reported the
choice to escort them behind the secrecy
presence of unauthorized persons in 235
screen to help them mark their ballot,
polling stations across Pakistan. In 163 polling
provided the companion has his/her original
stations, these unauthorized persons were
NIC. However, the requirement was violated
also influencing the polling staff.
at 1,403 polling stations – 964 in Punjab, 222
in Sindh, 165 in KP, 31 in Balochistan and 21 The security personnel were observed at
in Islamabad. 1,335 polling stations attempting to stop
polling agents from any irregularity instead
While some PWDs were not allowed to seek
of informing the Presiding Officers, as
help from a companion of their choice
required by their Code of Conduct.
behind the secrecy screen, FAFEN observers
Although reported from a small fraction of
reported at least one instance of
the 37,001 polling stations observed, such
unauthorized persons escorting able voters
practices indicate the need of greater
behind the secrecy screen at 2,370 polling
investments in the training of security staff to
stations – 1,774 in Punjab, 312 in KP, 233 in
ensure uniformity in the enforcement of
Sindh, 27 in Islamabad and 24 in Balochistan.
electoral laws and regulations.