elec-tion-ary: [Events leading to the 1988 elections]

ISLAMABAD: Elections were called soon after General Ziaul Haq dismissed Mohammad Khan Junejo’s government on May 21, 1988. General Zia died the same year on August 17 and following his death, Senate chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan took over as acting president and General Mirza Aslam Baig took up the position of the chief of army staff.

General elections for the National Assembly were held on November 16 whereas the elections for the provincial assemblies took place on November 19, 1988.

Acting on a petition filed by Benazir Bhutto, the Supreme Court held the elections on party basis. A nine party alliance dubbed the Islami Jamhuri Ittehad (IJI) opposed the Pakistan Peoples Party. An amendment in the law made it mandatory for the voters to present their National Identity Card at the polling stations to be able to cast their ballot.

For the first time judicial officers were appointed as returning officers instead of the members of the executive.

There was no bar on contesting from more than one constituency in the same assembly.

There was no national seat uncontested. Election proceedings in two constituencies were cancelled due to death of candidates while another constituency’s election was declared void on account of irregularities.

Seats reserved for Ahmadis remained vacant as no one filed their nomination papers.

(Courtesy: Church World Service and Free and Fair Election Network)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2013.