The by-elections held on November 23 for 13 National and Punjab Assembly constituencies were largely well-managed but were marred by repeated violations of campaign rules, gaps in results transparency, and a low voter turnout, according to a FAFEN report. The report noted that weak enforcement of campaign regulations remains a persistent issue in recent elections. Observers recorded at least 465 party camps within immediate proximity of 238 polling stations (64%), while transport facilitation was reported at 184 stations (49%). Party camps issued voter slips at 216 polling stations (91%), and campaign material was found inside 16 polling stations (4%). While most polling stations had basic accessibility measures, arrangements for women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and transgender voters were inconsistent. Training coverage among polling staff was high, with 89% of Presiding Officers, 79% of Assistant Presiding Officers, and 77% of Polling Officers reporting that they received training from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Ballot security and secrecy were generally maintained: all four required ballot box seals were intact at 1,072 booths (98%), and secrecy screens were properly placed at 1,044 booths (96%). Observers monitored 366 polling booths, finding 340 (93%) well-organized and peaceful, while only four (1%) were disorganized. Polling officers were observed verifying National Identity Cards, applying thumb marks, recording voter details, and updating electoral rolls. However, at 92 booths (25%), voter names and serial numbers were not announced as required under Section 84(4)(a) of the Elections Act, 2017, and at 10 booths (3%), eligible voters were turned away due to expired NICs. Assistant Presiding Officers mostly followed proper ballot issuance procedures, though at 107 booths (29%), ballot papers were pre-signed, and at 102 booths (28%), they were pre-stamped. While not illegal, these practices may increase the risk of misuse. Of the 79 polling stations observed during counting, access was denied to observers at two. Presiding Officers did not provide Form 45 (Result of the Count) to polling agents at six stations (8%) and to observers at 13 stations (17%). Form 45 was also not displayed outside 15 stations (19%). Similarly, Form 46 (Ballot Paper Account) was not provided to polling agents at 15 stations (19%) or observers at 17 stations (22%), and was not posted outside 16 stations (21%). At 33 stations (43%), Presiding Officers did not ask polling agents to sign the result forms. Voter turnout fell by 23% for both men and women, with only one constituency recording turnout above 50%. Despite these issues, around 97% of polling agents expressed satisfaction with the polling process, and all 137 agents interviewed after counting reported satisfaction with the counting process. Fafen deployed 122 trained and accredited observers, who conducted a comprehensive observation of opening, voting, and counting processes at 373 polling stations and their 1,088 polling booths, including 626 male and 462 female booths. Observers also interviewed polling staff, security personnel, and 833 polling agents.
November 23 by-elections saw campaign violations, lack of result transparency: Fafen
