The United Nations Human Rights Office has urged Pakistan to ensure free and fair elections in the country on February 8.

“We deplore all acts of violence against political parties and candidates, and urge the authorities to uphold the fundamental freedoms necessary for an inclusive and meaningful democratic process,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.

More than 128 million people would cast votes in the elections amid terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

At least 24 incidents of violence were reported in the lead-up to the vote. The government has vowed to hold polls despite terrorist attacks in the country.

“We are disturbed therefore by the pattern of harassment, arrests and prolonged detentions of leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and their supporters which has continued during the election period,” it said.

The organisation said that it expected the higher courts would review such conclusions in line with applicable due process and fair trial rights.

“Additionally, the election is a reminder of the barriers faced by women and minority communities in Pakistan, particularly the Ahmadis. Despite 22 percent of seats in the National Assembly being reserved for women, some political parties appear to have not met the legal quota of having five percent women candidates on their party lists. Separate voter lists - as is the case for the Ahmadis - expose them to harassment and violence, despite the equal rights guaranteed to minorities in Pakistan’s constitution.”

The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, appealed to the authorities to ensure a fully free and fair vote and to recommit to the democratic process.