The Commonwealth has appointed Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as the head of its Election Observer Mission for Pakistan’s general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
The Commonwealth of Nations, often referred to as the Commonwealth, is an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire from which it developed
Dr Jonathan, will lead a team of multidisciplinary experts to observe and provide an independent assessment of the electoral process
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, expressed gratitude to Dr Jonathan for accepting the role highlighting the importance of his leadership, experience, and wisdom in the mission
The 13-member Observer Group is set to arrive in Islamabad on February 1, 2024, and will remain until the completion of the electoral process
Members of the observer group will be stationed across the country all through their stay.
The Commonweath Secretary General added:
“I am grateful that the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has once again accepted our invitation to serve as Chair of an election observer group.
“The team of observers will assess the conduct of the process as a whole and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the further strengthening of the electoral system.
“It is hoped that these recommendations will be of benefit to the people and government of Pakistan in strengthening their electoral processes. The Commonwealth Secretariat would be ready to assist with this process, if deemed necessary.”
She also called on all stakeholders, including political parties and their supporters, to contribute to a peaceful election in keeping with the Commonwealth values.
(C) ControlTV 2024.
