Pakistan’s 12th General Election was held on February 8, 2024, making it the largest mobilization of polling staff and material in the history of the country. Here, we must acknowledge the efforts of tens of thousands of polling staff as well as law enforcement personnel in ensuring a relatively peaceful and organized General Election in the fifth largest democracy in the world. Nonetheless, multiple political parties and individuals have questioned the fairness and management of this election. These allegations are a cause for concern because a free, fair and professionally conducted electoral process is integral to Pakistan’s democracy.

As an independent, non-partisan political think tank, PILDAT has continued to systematically analyse the electoral process leading up to General Elections in 2002, 2008, 2013, 2018 and now, 2024. In addition, for each one of these General Elections, PILDAT has also carried out independent and dispassionate assessments of the quality of these General Elections post their conduct.

The Assessment of the Quality of General Election 2024 is guided by the assessment scores assigned by eminent citizens, and members of PILDAT Dialogue Groups. The scores on quality of General Election 2024 are also compared with earlier scores assigned to the conduct and quality of previous General Elections of 2018, 2013, 2008 and 2002.

This assessment is published as part of PILDAT series of analyses and commentaries on fairness and quality of General Elections in Pakistan.