Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, after being sworn in as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), has made it quite clear that he has a one-point agenda. “We only have a one-point agenda and that is public justice through free, fair, transparent and impartial elections so that no one could ever point a finger at the impartiality of the election commission and all employees of the election commission should work to achieve that goal”, said the CEC. This is great news for the future of democracy in Pakistan. After nine years of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s military dictatorship, democracy finally made its way back in our polity in 2008 after a long and hard struggle. There may be some anti-democratic forces still vying for power but the people of Pakistan have been quite vocal in their desire for the continuation of the democratic process.
History demonstrates quite convincingly that even the worst democracy is certainly better than the best military dictatorship. Thus, the new CEC’s promise to give a democratic Pakistan to the new generation is indeed commendable. In any civilised state, free and fair polls are a given but in Pakistan, which has been under direct military rule for more than three decades, it is a rarity. As Justice Ebrahim commented, we have only had three relatively free and fair elections in our history — in 1971, 1988 and 2008. The establishment’s role in undermining the electoral process in many an election is no longer a secret. From distributing ‘secret funds’ to political parties of its choice to employing pressure tactics, our establishment has indulged in all sorts of rigging in order to influence election results.
The right to vote is an integral part of a just and democratic society. Nobody should be allowed to either take away that right or to let it go to waste. It is hoped that under Justice Ebrahim’s able command, the election commission would now be able to freely exercise its power and would not allow any foul play during the next general elections. The media must also play its role as a watchdog and be more vigilant during the polls. The people of Pakistan deserve to choose their leadership in a free and transparent manner.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (6)
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Winning elections is one thing and producing a good governance is another.They won the elections but after assuming power they messed up with everything. By the way if they are so crazy about democracy, why did they abolish the local bodies system which is part of democracy in any civilized democratic country of the world? Even today they are dragging their feet on holding local bodies elections. The truth is that they do not want to part with the absolute power which they want retain at any cost through the civil servants, a legacy of of the British colonial era. They cannot tolerate a commoner to be the head of a union council. It is more effective to exercise control over the tiniest thing in their area and make the people look up to them for relief inany of their problems.
A good piece to read indeed ! Concrete steps must be taken by ECP to ensure free and fair elections. However, minimizing the interference of establishment in the process would still be a challenge.
@Syed Hamid Ahmed: what is your opinion on NRO brokering by sitting dictator and US role in 2008.period.
I fully support your view that: History demonstrates quite convincingly that even the worst democracy is certainly better than the best military dictatorship. I wish there were more people who follow that doctrine in Pakistan. Unfortunately, this is a view held by a minority only in Pakistan. Many think a strong hand is what the country needs. That is one reason many are fond of Imran Khan or the army. Another weak point in the country is that whoever has the authority, uses it ruthlessly. The only person they love to dismantle in particularly is the one electorate has chosen. You do not have believe me, just read Pakistan's short history.
"As Justice Ebrahim commented, we have only had three relatively free and fair elections in our history — in 1971, 1988 and 2008." All won by PPP, fair and square, period.
What a nice editorial and a great little speech by the new CEC. One line says it all "public justice through free, fair, transparent and impartial elections". Let the people of Pakistan decide with their free will whom do they want and who do they like. History has shown that in any and every election PPP have won the most popular votes and seats. Yet every time the generals and judges stole their right to govern. This is the only time that they could not do it due to the 21st century politics. When the generals and judges could overthrow and hang ZAB they could easily have done the same to Zardari by manufacturing any case like Memo or sedition and everybody knows that Zardari is no ZAB. After the next elections the new coalition govt should take ISI under civilian control and end the extension of "all govt servants" right away. The point to consider is while there are 5:4 and 6:3 decisions on all imp issue in the US and other countries, the 17 member benches of PCO SC are always unanimous against the govt. Just like the generals were unanimous in hanging ZAB. There is no dissenting opinion of any SC judge anymore.