The Commonwealth Observer Group suppressed findings about Pakistan's election on Feb. 8, 2024, according to Drop Site. Secretary General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey inherited the matter from Patricia Scotland, who supervised the monitoring mission. Scotland delayed the report after Pakistani officials warned publication could destabilize the country. The Commonwealth promotes democracy among former colonies, but critics say it protected a government that gained power through fraud.
Botchwey told Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in August she would not release findings. The election followed military removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan via no-confidence vote. Khan alienated military leaders, the United States, and European Union by criticizing policies. Opposition groups face arrests, disappearances, and torture as democratic conditions deteriorate.
Botchwey told Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in August she would not release findings. The election followed military removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan via no-confidence vote. Khan alienated military leaders, the United States, and European Union by criticizing policies. Opposition groups face arrests, disappearances, and torture as democratic conditions deteriorate.
