Topic: 2025-Preserving Free and Fair Elections
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Josh Machnacki
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan recognizes that ensuring free and fair elections is of paramount importance. However, accusations of corruption do not warrant the breach of a nation’s sovereignty. The electoral system of Pakistan is governed by its Constitution, which was passed by the National Assembly on April 10, 1973. The Parliament of Pakistan is composed of the President, the National Assembly, and the Senate. General elections are held every five years when the National Assembly has completed its term or has been dissolved. Senators are elected to six year terms.
The most recent general election for Pakistan was held February 8, 2024. As a nation with a developing economy, mass events like elections have the potential to strain Pakistan’s infrastructure. During the February election, threats of terrorism necessitated blocking internet connection in some areas. Pakistan regrets having to take these measures, but maintains the importance of national security. After the election, the United States of America and the United Kingdom levied false accusations of election interference instead of coming to Pakistan’s aid. Pakistan denounces these allegations, which serve no purpose other than to disrupt internal affairs and undermine the state. Pakistani lawmakers stated, “The house deeply regrets that the subject resolution clearly reflects an incomplete and wrong understanding of the political and electoral process of Pakistan.” The U.S. House of Representatives does not know what is best for Pakistan, and has no business interpreting its internal affairs. Additionally, Pakistan is a signatory of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, a legally-binding international instrument outlining preventive and punitive measures against corruption, though it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 66. The signing of this critical resolution reflects Pakistan’s continued commitment to preventing corruption, and the unwillingness to compromise national sovereignty. Article 66 paragraph 2 provides that if a dispute arises between two or more States concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, and if the parties are unable to resolve it through negotiation, they may refer the dispute to arbitration or the ICJ. Pakistan is against organizations like the ICJ intervening in domestic or bilateral matters related to corruption, as external involvement can infringe upon national decision making and unnecessarily politicise issues.
Pakistan is in full support of UN efforts to technologically support nations to aid the election process, and believes the UNODC should expand in this field. Monetary assets could be allocated to individual nations for respective development of electoral systems tailored for that country’s needs. Financial support for developing economies is vital to election success. It is this area that nations like the United States, with greater financial capabilities, should focus. Pakistan
strongly urges the UNODC to condemn probes that intrude on national sovereignty, and instead turn to assisting developing nations as the best way to ensure free and fair elections.
