Pakistan, April 24 -- As Pakistan reels from the latest round of by-elections, the specter of electoral malpractice looms large, tainting the democratic processes that are crucial to the nation's governance. The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), a watchdog established in 2006 to oversee electoral integrity, has raised significant concerns following the April 21 by-elections across 22 national and provincial assembly constituencies.

FAFEN's report outlines a troubling panorama of low voter turnout and procedural anomalies that marred the electoral landscape, particularly in Punjab's provincial constituencies. Despite advancements in result management and a reduction in discarded ballots, the election day was overshadowed by deep-roo...