Are some elements scared of elections?

A handful of “pro-state” senators on Friday stirred the political scene by sparking a controversy about postponement of polls after they managed to pass a resolution seeking delay in the already late general elections when the nation was counting the days to cast their vote.

Surprisingly, with the next general elections just around the corner, Independent Senator Dilawar Khan tabled a resolution seeking a delay in elections citing security concerns, among other things.

To add insult to injury, roughly one-dozen senators of a 100-member house passed the resolution.

The move not only triggered a nationwide debate but critics expressed concern over the questionable proceedings in the Senate, emphasising the need to unveil hidden forces hindering the electoral process when the election schedule has already been announced and the country is just a month away from polls.

Apart from the condemnation by the political parties, including the ones whose senators played a dubious role during the session and got show-cause notices in response, the move is seen by some as a challenge to the existing narrative, while others dismiss it as a trivial matter, given the limited attendance during the resolution’s passage.

The development, however, raises broader questions about the state of democracy and governance in Pakistan and, once again, raises the question who really calls the shots in the country, especially, when the country’s Supreme Court has vowed that it would ensure holding of polls on Feb 8, come what may.

Former senator Farhatullah Babar while condemning what has happened in the Senate said that the manner in which it was done raises serious questions about the way proceedings in the House of Federation are being conducted.

Also read: Senate seeks to delay Feb 8 vote

“It’s deeply worrying,” Babar said, adding that the resolution calling for postponing the elections was mysteriously moved in Senate even though it was not on the Orders of the Day.

It is obvious, the former senator said, some elements are scared of elections and making a last-minute desperate bid to postpone the polls.

“Dark clouds hanging over Feb 8 elections get thicker by the day and there is need to expose the hidden hands behind the attempts to deprive the people of their right to elect their representatives to put the country back on the rails,” Babar, who heads the PPP Human Rights Cell, shared.

Emphasising that Pakistan can no longer afford the politics of convenience or of back-door politics, Babar said that two recent reports about the state of democracy in Pakistan, one by German Foundation and the other by PILDAT, questioned electoral credibility and expressed concerns over the perpetuation of hybrid system of governance in the country.

He deplored that the Senate chairman allowed the motion for resolution against elections to be moved in violation of the rules and even in the absence of the quorum.

“The pro-state senators or those who are inclined towards the establishment put up a show in the upper house of parliament on Friday,” renowned political commentator Majid Nizami said. “In simple words, they provided an official stamp on the gossips about delay in polls making the rounds in the capital for days now.”

Initially, Nizami noted that the speculations about delay in polls were only making rounds on social media but now one of the biggest forums has been utilised to convey a message to the people concerned.

“Apparently, the message conveyed through Senate’s forum has challenged the narrative of Justice Qazi Faez Isa,” Nizami noted, recalling how the chief justice of Pakistan had barred from discussing about delay in polls on media and only allowed it to be discussed with one’s spouse.

By bringing the subject matter on the mainstream media, he said, an attempt has been made to challenge that narrative.

Emphasising that neither the pro-state senators’ move has any practical impact nor the resolution is binding, Nizami noted that it is nonetheless a message from the forum which represents the state.

“It seems to be a message to test waters,” he said. Back in 2018, Nizami recalled that all the institutions were on the one side but that doesn’t seem to be the case in 2024, saying apparently the judiciary is somewhat frustrating the establishment by striking down its moves one after the other.

Soon after the resolution was passed by a handful of senators, eminent journalist Nusrat Javed posted on X: “Senator Dilawar Khan is a serial turncoat. He moves a resolution in the Senate, stealthy in a house only 14 members were present. The resolution got passed, demanding postponement of the Feb-Election, and all TV channels are now discussing this trivial matter!”