Commonwealth has appointed former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan as the head of its Election Observation Mission for the upcoming general elections in Pakistan on February 8, 2024.
Having served as Nigeria’s President from 2010 to 2015, Jonathan will lead a 13-member Observer Group comprising multidisciplinary experts to observe and provide an independent assessment of the electoral process.
Expressing gratitude for Jonathan’s acceptance of the role, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland emphasised the importance of his leadership, experience, and wisdom in overseeing the mission.
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.
The 13-member Observer Group is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on February 1, 2024, and will remain in the country until the conclusion of the electoral process.
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Scotland stated, “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.”
Calling on all stakeholders, including political parties and their supporters, Scotland urged them to contribute to a peaceful election in line with Commonwealth values.
Members of the observer group will be stationed across Pakistan throughout their stay, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.