Flouting the rules

If our politicians want to earn the trust and respect of the masses, they must not indulge in unlawful practices.


Editorial April 25, 2013
When the ECP is not being taken seriously by political parties, we cannot expect the people to put their faith in the electoral process. PHOTO:FILE

The Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct for political parties and candidates for general elections of 2013 and all subsequent by-elections was meant to provide a level playing field for all political parties. Instead of following these rules during election campaigning, we have seen that almost all political parties are guilty of flouting them. According to a report by the Free and Fair Election Network, 86 per cent of the 49 rallies it observed violated the ECP’s code of conduct. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazalur Rehman (JUI-F) were amongst those parties that violated ECP rules during electioneering. The ECP received over 700 complaints of such violations that are now being investigated by the authorities. It is disappointing to see political parties blatantly violating rules set by the ECP. Politicians are supposed to be the representatives of the masses, who send these representatives to the assemblies to fulfil their expectations. When politicians break rules and consider themselves above the law, it is tantamount to betrayal of trust of the electorate.

Future lawmakers should not be seen breaking the rules as it sets a bad precedent. If our politicians want to earn the trust and respect of the masses, they must not indulge in unlawful practices. As it is, our political class is demonised through propaganda campaigns by undemocratic forces. When politicians break the rules, they give democracy a bad name. The efforts of those who fought for democracy in Pakistan should not be undone by our political class. It is essential for the electoral process that all parties and candidates must respect and follow the law. When the ECP is not being taken seriously by political parties, we cannot expect the people to put their faith in the electoral process. If our political parties and their candidates start following the ECP’s code of conduct, it would strengthen the ECP. This, in turn, would ensure free and fair elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2013.

COMMENTS (1)

S Nasir Mehdi | 10 years ago | Reply

When Election Commission violates rules by clearing bank defaulters, filling faulty election papers, not declaring full value of their assets etc . The corrupt parties have right under the patronage of party nominated EC+ full team and time bared heading central and provincial government. Only GOD ALL MIGHTY can save us. So pray.

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