Elections 2013 — a nemesis

ECP, government institutions should make foolproof security arrangements for candidates, political workers and voters.

Elections 2013 are being held at a defining moment in our history because one democratic dispensation will be replaced by another for the first time since the creation of Pakistan. Another significant factor is the unanimous belief of state institutions that democracy is the only guarantee of freedom and sustainable development for the country. The media, coupled with judicial activism and an election commission constituted strictly under the provision of the Constitution, raises the hope that democracy will now be built up into Pakistani polity with little chances of wrecking of the due process. The May 11 decision of the electorate will determine whether this country will be able to deal with militancy and also reshape its political, economic, cultural and sociological landscape. Any mistake, as a nation, at this critical juncture will threaten human rights, fundamental freedoms, and peace, stability and security. Furthermore, our persistent problems relating to governance, corruption, energy shortages, inflation, macroeconomic stability, financial irregularities and tendencies like subordinating institutions to individuals, personalisation of power with a family of destiny, inability to build a viable system that is not sustained by appeasement of banned extremist and terrorist outfits, debt burden and shrinking resource flows will hamper our march towards building a knowledge economy.

Keeping in view the significance of free, fair and transparent elections, it is incumbent upon the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the caretaker set-up to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, candidates and political activists. The fact that terrorist outfits have effectively targeted election rallies and killed candidates and workers of secular parties in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi and Balochistan has eroded the efficacy of the elections as a source of legitimacy. Those having seat adjustment with extremist religious parties or advocating a soft approach towards the Taliban are carrying out their election campaign unhindered while others are busy offering funeral prayers for their dead workers and are being compelled to choose between the right to live and the right to be elected to a political office. Added to their pain and anguish is either the absence of or a half-hearted condemnation by the right-wing parties.

The terrorist outfits will like to create an environment of fear to forestall a respectable turnout of voters. In case they succeed in preventing voters from exercising their right to choose their representatives, election credibility will erode. This is fraught with dangerous consequences. If the election results are not accepted or are of doubtful efficacy, the very purpose of the electoral exercise will be defeated. If the past can be of any guidance, the unacceptability of results and a perception of disenfranchisement under the threat of violence will be retrogressive steps.

While it is heartening to see the passion and enthusiasm amongst those sections of our society who have never utilised their vote in the past, the worrying factor that is being overlooked by many is that the political parties that we plan on voting for have not accorded due priority in their manifestos to the challenge of extremism, terrorism, intolerance and violence. Even if the problem has been mentioned, the strategy to tackle it is evasive and ambiguous. It may also be added that the electoral strategy of political parties revolves around electable candidates with scant regard to ideological affiliation. The result is that those who may have catered to banned militant organisations in the past may still get elected again and may, intentionally or unintentionally, be instrumental in implementing their ideology.

To ensure fair and free elections, the ECP and all government institutions should make foolproof security arrangements for all candidates, political workers and voters. Contingency plans should be carefully prepared with due regard to local teleology and on ground conditions. Intelligence coordination, impartial law enforcement, a proactive approach punctuated with sharp, short and swift action against the perpetrators of violence may go a long way in damage control and restore the credibility of the electoral process.

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