US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Donald Lu emphasized the importance of investigating allegations of interference or rigging in Pakistan's recent general elections at a Congressional hearing in Washington on Wednesday.
Speaking before a subcommittee of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Lu underscored the need for transparency and accountability in addressing allegations of electoral irregularities.
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Lu appeared before a subcommittee of the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs in a hearing titled 'Pakistan in the Aftermath of the Elections: Examining the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship'.
The US diplomat noted that thousands of petitions have been submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and underscored the urgency for the ECP to transparently hold those who rigged the elections to account.
He emphasized that it is the ECP's responsibility to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and uphold democratic principles.
Referring to past instances where the ECP has ordered re-elections in certain constituencies, Lu hinted that re-elections could be held if allegations of poll irregularities are substantiated. He reiterated the importance of respecting the will of the Pakistani people in determining the outcome of the elections.
