The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
Excitement increases as May 11 approaches. One hopes for a change of government. New faces will possibly alter the prospects of our country for the better. Honest people will replace the corrupt. We will have a better leadership. Or will we?
So far we are confused on what is happening. The clear-cut process of scrutiny has not been so cut and dry. People with questionable degrees, those filing false statements of assets and liabilities and those with criminal and corruption cases pending against them have been cleared to stand in the elections. Now many of them will be re-elected, much to our despair.
While our progressives and conservatives debated the merits or demerits of Articles 62 and 63, what we did not deliberate upon was what was being done to stop those applicants who have defaulted on their taxes or loans. We are still not sure how much data was shared with the ECP by the FBR.
The whole fiasco of the returning officers holding impromptu Islamiat and General Knowledge tests seems to have been a smokescreen intended to create a situation where everyone would finally be let through. This has happened. End of Round One.
In the golden words of Robert Mugabe, the leader for life of famine-ridden Zimbabwe, only a fool rigs an election on polling day. He should know. He has been playing havoc with his country’s elections for several decades now. This process, it seems, starts much earlier. In our case, it may have started possibly with the choice of candidates in the caretaker government.
The ECP has also taken notice of the statements of caretaker interior minister Malik Habib Khan, a former policeman, who is clearly influenced by Mian Nawaz Sharif, who he called the “only true national leader.” Statements like this put into question the whole system in place. It is one thing to have personal likes or dislikes, but to be in a responsible public position and make such statements is tantamount to an official endorsement. Our caretaker PM has now said that no minister will issue political or personal statements. But the damage has been done.
In Sindh, the caretaker CM seems bent on adding more ministers and advisers as if he needs to oblige those people. The choice is very poor in most cases. And the much pressed for reshuffle of bureaucrats in the province seems to have created more confusion as juniors are now in-charge of their seniors.
Coming back to Article 62 and 63, one wonders why the outgoing parliament did not do away with this remnant of the Zia era. In fact, why has the parliament not thrown out all those insertions made into our constitution by dictators and their puppets? Parliament should have debated only those articles that it saw fit to retain. Possibly this should be one of the first moves of the incoming parliament. In the words of Aitzaz Ahsan, PPP leader and much else, the criteria of these two articles are such that even the founder of the nation may have had difficulty meeting them.
A welcome sign has been the decision to allow overseas voters to participate in the polls. Polling stations would be set up in countries where there is a large Pakistani expat population. While this may be welcome in Western countries, one wonders how the Gulf states would react to such an exercise on their soil given that they are shy of democracy.
Now we are in Round Two. We see party flags popping up and rallies starting to gain momentum. In comparison to past years, the whole process has been quieter. For this we have both the ECP and militants to thank. Security concerns have ensured that many gatherings have been cancelled. Already we are seeing candidates being attacked and rallies being bombed. The Taliban claim of killing MQM candidate Fakhrul Islam in Hyderabad flies in the face of the government’s operation against the militants. We are told that militants are on the run in Karachi. Instead, they seem to have resurfaced in Hyderabad. Almost every day, officials are targeted and killed in KP as well. It seems certain powers are bent on creating havoc ahead of the polls. The two main targets are the ANP and the MQM. This does not bode well.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS (27)
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Increasing incident of bomb blasts n target killing create chaos in society! people are confused n worried that how they cast vote on 11th May safely...govt should have strict control on it!
As far as the concept of Fair election is concerned I personally don’t see it working here. Facts speak louder. Indeed, the recent killings are pointing out the security issues as well.
the whole country is confuesed what gona be haapen on the election day.as we all know that ecp is doing their best for fair election this time.we all hope that this time we will have a better govt.INSHALLAH
its our duty to give votes to that prson who is much better than other.but the question arises how we can judge that a party we are chooseing is the right one.i think the whole country is confuesd n waiting for elections desprately because no one know what gona be happen.one thing we should do is that think positive n target killing are increasinig day by day, condition of our country is gettig worst day by day n the opposition party wil try to make condition more worst on the election day.i hope eletion will be done peace fully..amen
With the state of the present caretaker government, and the years that have passed with the previously ruling party, there isn't much that can be hoped. As the writer has mentioned about the security concerns, not many people would be ready to come out of their houses to cast votes. Still, let's just wait and watch and hope that something better for our nation happens this time.
If we want a better Pakistan we have to give votes to reliable person and the main thing which the writer pointed how can we know a candidate is reliable or not, it is only possible by fair scrutiny which seems to be immpossible in our country. People with fake degrees again standing in election proudly and without any regrets. This is the responsibilty of election commission to not allow them to stand and make the example of fair election this time but all go in vain. Third point, target killing increasing day by day what the enemies want from us to stay at home on the day of election? many questions are arrising in our minds and we surely get the answer on election day. Finger cross...
Basically, a "Fair Election" is only possible, if the system in which it is going to conduct is not corrupt at all. But here in Pakistan it seems impossible because our election system is not rectified. Though, the Chief Justice Iftikhar Ahmed Choudary tried his best (to prevent the corrupt Politicians from coming into the mainstream) but it's useless, because the corruption cases which were filed against these Politicians are now “Let by gone, be by gone”. Moreover, the blunders which the writer has also highlighted i.e. inconsistency of ECP and the killing of Politicians make the situation more critical. Thus, in the above scenario, thinking about the upcoming 2013 Election (in the context of bringing revolution and prosperity to the country) might be a dream… But! After all, we can’t criticize the Politicians only, as we are also the part of this system and basically the future of Pakistan will depend on our votes and if we don’t utilize it in the right way then it might happen that these corrupt politicians hark back. So, being a citizen of this Country we should avail this opportunity (either the deserving Party wins or not), because this is the only hope left for us…
We have seen another indication that is attack yesterday on ANP's gathering in KPK, well it seems a game plan. Everyone knows there are international powers who never wanted to see this country stable and our people are becoming there tools since starting.
These millitants are part of this goverment or we must say part of our establishment, everybody knows who are doing and who are supporting them. Innocent public is only crashing in the blame game of Judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
I liked the point that writer shared about target killings of the political personalities as it can cause a stop to many people to cast their votes on the election day for security purposes as in Pakistan only 45% of the population cast their votes bu in such alarming situation hoping for the best for 11th may.
Talking about fair elections, which are impossible, the very first election in our maturity level. Caretaker government had tried it's best to do so, but the people working under are not loyal to their jobs and Country. I don't understand one thing, that if one is not able to stand for elections in Karachi due to any objection, then how is it possible that the same candidate id standing from some other city? Is the objection for only a single city? not across the country? I cant get all these laws made by election commission, it has different rules and laws for every candidate. The scene which we all are waiting to see is the day of election in Karachi. What will happen? Will again some candidate will waste million rupees on a wrong result which changed after 30 mins? Just hope that we have fair elections all over Pakistan or Karachi at-least, to have a fair Government, which will lead to a bright feature of this country, and to have fair opportunity for the upcoming generation in every field. Our pray is with the ones who are willing to make these elections fair.
After the tormenting 5 years that the present government has completed, the public wishes for change. But then, change here cannot be brought if the same corrupted leaders take charge of the country. The cry for fair elections, a common call given by the ruling class is not something new that the masses are listening to. Yet, the Pakistani's never give up hope. Let us anticipate that these elections prove to be fruitful for our nation!
Election 2013 is a 'now or never' situation for Pakistan because currently, it is in the worst state ever, thanks to what the past 5 years have led to. Election campaigning(on a wide scale) is nowhere being seen other than on TV or social networking websites or on and off Jalsa's. Agreeable that the public has higher hopes than ever, attached to the winning party, but the question is that will the system change? Will elections be fair, and without any rigging? Political parties are making promises(like always) and making the Pakistani's dream, but is there any chance that at least this time Pakistan will be ruled by honest people for a change? A lot of people are still only thinking about which party is beneficial for their cities or provinces, therefore they are likely to vote on that basis only- so where does the part of being and thinking like a 'Pakistani' lie? But before any judgement takes place, the security of the public is the biggest issue because that's where the voting part starts from. A lot of people MIGHT WANT to vote, but MIGHT NOT because of the threats of terrorism activities that are likely to get active during elections. Yet, all we can do is hope for a better future for Pakistan.
"Election-2013" is a never-ending debate with facts and figures popping out every single second, from nowhere.. It's a HUGE mess yet and only the right time will tell that what colors will rule Pakistan for the next 5 years.
There are so many questions running into our minds regarding elections and one can find out the answers of those questions in this article, obviously we all are confused about the upcoming elections, 11th May is about to come, as days are passing people are curious about it, read more articles and kill your curiosity.
It is indeed a dubious situation, as under the facade of 'effective' scrutiny, many undeserving candidates have been allowed to go forth and contest for the election. The only possible solution to making sure that such people do not enter the parliament yet again, is to create more awareness and also to provide the details of every candidate who is contesting from different constituencies. However keeping the current security threats in mind, with 11th May coming nearer, it seems like 'something wicked this way comes...'
Agree with sharjeel...now its a high time, ppl should know about the candidates who are standing for elections from their constituency. This can be possible with the help of ad campaigns on television.this step will be helpful for the voters. Secondly, in my opinion the decision of participation of overseas voters is inapproprite
When PTI comes to power, after demolishing the walls of governor houses as promised, their second act should be a complete overahul of the rotting ECP. If we ever expect to have democracy thrive in Pakistan and have our children and their children live in peace and prosperity, more than anything else, this morbid, geriartic institution (pun intended!) should be overhauled.
The writer has discussed all major concerns however the fact remains that many people are still unaware of most happenings related to the elections. Therefore people should read more articles such as this and find out as much as they can through various sources, eventually we are all playing a major role in the upcoming election.
How true. Not only Articles 62, 63, but all amendments by any dictator must be thrown out. We need to start fresh.
Dear brother Sharma,with due respect the figures are appended here*,"Zimbabwe has an adult literacy rate of approximately 90% which is amongst the highest in Africa"source Wikipedia,can be seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EducationinZimbabwe. The other source of Global Ranking is from WEF report,titled,The Global,Competitiveness Report,2012–2013 where Zimbabwe was graded 30th and not 10th in entire Globe,I stand corrected,as I had approximated and said probably 10th,any ways it is much above of South Africa which is placed at number 133rd in the Globe.Now don't turn up and say that you don't rely on Wikipedia as most of commentators do. Tha aim of comments was to put things in correct perspective as generalization and stereotyping of countries and nations like Zimbabwe is not justified,we are all humans and have our opinions.I hope that satisfies your query.By the way if there was any parameter to calculate decency, kindness and helpful behavior Zimbabweans could score very high in entire Globe,thanks to their leader Mugabe who is a teacher in real sense.Happy reading.
@waqar khan: Prestigious LOL!!
@waqar khan: "Zimbabwe is most educated country in Africa and probably number 10th in entire world"
Mr. Khan : Can you enlighten us with the source for the aforesaid claim. This exaggeration speaks your mind
Yes, the killings of party workers in these crucial days is no doubt a clear cut conspiracy to create hurdle in the smooth going election campaigns. and most important our whole 1973 constitution is very effective if its incorporated with its true essence.
No dirth of pessimists,the writer probably belongsbto Chaos brigade,....chill 11 May is not far away. Correction on authors very poor knowledge about Zimbabwe, I live here, no signs of any famine here,Zimbabwe exports beef to many European countries,last year Zimbabweans imported cars worth 2billion US$,half of these were Mercedes and BMW, Mugabe's policy of indegenization took away lands from whites and returned these to blacks,that is true democracy here,Zimbabwe is most educated country in Africa and probably number 10th in entire world, It is more peaceful than South Africa. Zimbabwe is net exporter of diamonds,gold and platinum. Please check your records before commenting on prestegious newspapers like ET.