For last two years, sane people have been advising to follow the constitution, which can guarantee nation’s unity, cohesion, and integration. For various reasons, such advice was ignored. Following the passage of ‘no confidence moves (NCM)’ against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and resultant ouster of his government in April 2022, and dissolution of provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK) in January 2023, Pakistan has experienced worst political turmoil and economic uncertainty in its history. Without going into the details of political motives of those who launched the NCM and its timings, and the allegations leveled by Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI) about allegations for this process, the fact remains that Pakistani state and society have suffered an irreparable polarization and worst kind of division in last two years. After dissolution of two provincial assemblies, the constitution demanded that elections for these assemblies should be conducted within ninety days. This provision was blatantly violated under one pretext or the other. When the matter was brought before the Supreme Court, it decided that “the elections are mandatory within 90 days after the dissolution of an assembly”. The election date of 9 Aril 2023 for Punjab, announced by the President, was postponed by the ECP. The Supreme Court ruled that the ECP’s decision was unconstitutional. It fixed 14 May 2023 as the new date for the election. The Supreme Court’s verdict was violated and defied. This was not only a violation of the constitution but a clear contempt of Supreme Court’s orders as well. Since the apex court was badly divided and weak, it could not get its verdict implemented. Despite PTI approaching respective High Courts and Supreme Court, the elections of both provincial assemblies were not held. The caretaker governments continued to work though under questionable legal mandate.
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a political alliance of 13 parties that ousted Imran Khan in April 2022, dissolved the National Assembly on 10 August 2023, only four days before completion of its mandated period. This decision was taken to extend the election time from sixty to ninety days. Unfortunately, this time as well, the election of National Assembly was not conducted within mandatory period of ninety days. The matter was finally decided with assertive intervention of the Supreme Court and ECP was directed to announce the election date in consultation with the President.
Finally, it was decided that elections of National Assembly and all provincial assemblies will be held on 8 February 2023. Supreme Court took upon the challenge of ensuring that elections are held on the designated day, despite various distractions and interference caused by many forces inimical to continuation of political process. Countless hurdles were created for holding fair, free, and impartial elections. Many political parties, including PPP, JUP (F) and PTI complained about non-availability of level playing field. PTI was practically disadvantaged by depriving its election symbol. Its candidates were forced to context the elections as independent candidates on numerous election symbols. This decision of the Supreme Court was highly criticized by most senior legal experts in the country. Though, Peshawar High Court had earlier decided in favor of PTI. Many PTI candidates were arrested, intimidated, and kept in the jail, despite having been granted bails in different cases, denying them the freedom to contest elections.
Just few days prior to election, Imran Khan was sentenced with more than thirty years in hurriedly concluded cases. This action was seen as a political victimization within Pakistan and all over the world. Under such toxic political suffocation, contesting election was extremely difficult for PTI. Many analysts expected PTI to boycott the elections. However, PTI decided to reach up to people of Pakistan by innovating their election campaign through using social media and artificial intelligence means. Now, when elections have been held on 8 February, albeit many complaints about some shortcomings and inadequacies, the nation needs to move forward. Only way is to ‘respect the people’s will and mandate’ without any further delay and complications.
Elections in Pakistan have been marred with multiple allegations of rigging. After failure of infamous RTS in 2018, Election Management System developed by ECP for 2024 election also ended up in catastrophic fiasco, allowing room for manipulation by unscrupulous elements. Furthermore, the ECP was required to ensure that Form 45, which indicates details of all votes polled at a polling station, is prepared correctly by presiding officers. It was also expected that Returning Officers (RO) will also prepare Form 47 strictly on the bases of Form 45 in the presence of the candidates or their representative and dully verified copies of these forms are provided to them.
Though, the elections were conducted in a peaceful manner, yet there are numerous complaints about manipulation and delays in final tabulation of results by ROs. Many candidates have approached ECP and the High Courts regarding discrepancies of elections results in Form 45 and Form 47. All such complaints must be heard expeditiously and in accordance with law and all grievances must be redressed on merit. If genuine complaints are not rectified properly, the situation can lead anarchy and extreme polarization and that must be avoided at all costs. ECP and relevant courts / tribunals must take cognizance of the sensitivity of highly charged emotions of the masses, especially volatile youth and must not test their patience and resilience. Any political party or a group that commands the confidence of masses, as expressed through ballot, must be allowed to make their government at the center and in the provinces without any hindrance or quasi legal and procedural hurdles.
Ler us learn to respect the genuine results of elections. Let us not repeat mistakes and blunders committed in the past. Let the youth celebrate and enjoy the fruits of exercising their choice through ballot instead of forcing them to express their emotions and anger through other means leading to violence, chaos, and anarchy. Let the spirt of hope and optimism dawn over the dark clouds of despair, hopelessness, and skepticism. Let the fragrance and spring of democracy overshadow the ghost of authoritarianism, political oppression, and polarization. Let the reconciliation take place and let us get rid of hate, vindictiveness, and personal animosities. Let the nation unite and celebrate the very purpose of the creation of Pakistan, the making of a harmonious and democratic state.
The writer is a retired Army Officer and former High Commissioner of Pakistan. His areas of interest are Foreign Policy, Global Security and Conflict Studies. Presently, he is affiliated with Tsinghua University, Beijing, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, and Kashi University, Kashgar, China.
