Pakistan's 8 Feb elections 'most rigged', 'selection of Nawaz Sharif' almost certain, says ex-Indian diplomat Bisaria

Former High Commissioner of India To Pakistan Ajay Bisaria on Wednesday said that neighbouring country’s 8 February elections are not just the most predictable, but also the most rigged as they are more of a ‘selection than election’.

Speaking to ANI news agency, Bisaria said, “From all accounts, these elections on 8th February are not just the most predictable, but also the most rigged, because it’s clear for everyone in Pakistan if you see the commentary that is coming from within the country, that the election results are clear.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On the Pakistan Parliamentary Elections, Former High Commissioner of India To Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria says “From all accounts, these elections on 8th February are not just the most predictable, but also the most rigged, because it’s clear for everyone in Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/XT0Btbvb2Q

— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024

He said the army in various ways is doing pre-election engineering, it will probably do some election engineering and post-election engineering to get a government that it wants in place.

“It is said that it will possibly be a selection of Nawaz Sharif and his PMLN party, I think that is a widespread expectation, and that’s fairly accurate…,” added the former diplomat.

He said that had there been free and fair elections Imran Khan and his party PTI would have probably come to power.

#WATCH | Delhi: Ajay Bisaria, Former High Commissioner of India To Pakistan speaks on the Pakistan Parliamentary Election, 2024 and Relations between India-Pakistan Post 2024 Parliamentary Election. (06.02) pic.twitter.com/l9dZHJdswb

— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024

“Imran Khan and his party are quite popular in Punjab too. However, the cricketer-turned-politician is in jail and has been sentenced in three cases. Efforts are being made to keep him out of the elections and break his party, and bring in a shaky coalition which is controlled by the Pakistan Army,” said Bisaria.

On relations between India and Pakistan post 2024 election, he said it’s too early to predict what kind results will emerge and what kind of government will come to power.

“However, we have some hope that if a civilian government comes to power, it too will make efforts to improve relations with India. Pakistan will have to take the first step and we will have to wait until June-July when the elections in India are over. Thereafter, we might get to see some good results,” added the former diplomat.

The elections are set to be held on 8 February and polling would start at 8:00 am and would continue non-stop until 5:00 pm.

Elaborate security measures have been taken, including the deployment of regular army troops, to maintain peace.

A large number of foreign journalists and observers have arrived in Pakistan to monitor and cover the election exercise.

With inputs from agencies