The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for an Unbiased investigation into allegations of election manipulation in Pakistan’s February 8 national polls. The resolution emphasizes the importance of public participation in Pakistan’s democratic process.

Pakistan’s last general elections were marked by a nationwide mobile Internet shutdown on election day, pre-election arrests and violence, and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations of electoral fraud.

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Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) raised concerns, as its leaders had to run as independent candidates after losing their party symbol due to a disputed intra-party election. Many PTI leaders, including Khan, were detained on various charges during the elections, although PTI-supported candidates emerged as the largest bloc in the National Assembly.

The resolution, passed by a vote of 368-7, calls for a full and independent investigation into allegations of election interference or irregularities in Pakistan’s February 2024 elections. It condemns efforts to suppress Pakistani citizens’ democratic participation through intimidation, violence, internet restrictions, arbitrary detention, or violations of their rights.

House Resolution 901 expresses support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan, urging the government to uphold democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law. It also condemns any attempts to undermine Pakistan’s political, electoral, or judicial processes.

Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, highlighted the significance of the vote, noting that 85% of House members participated and 98% voted in favor of the resolution.