Top of the field

Balochistan has moved to first place as far as the conduct of local bodies polls goes, becoming the first province to complete the constitutionally mandated process. Given the province’s recent troubles with law and order, we can be relieved that the polling process itself went ahead largely peacefully, with only a few minor incidents being reported. These, too, involved arguments between voters rather than anything resembling deliberate sabotage. It was, however, disappointing that, according to provincial election authorities, polls were not held in over 600 constituencies up for contest. Many lay in Awaran and Kech, the two districts worst hit by the twin quakes in September this year. Poor balloting arrangements were in most cases responsible, with the required materials failing to reach stations. A date for by-polls is to be announced shortly, but this should never have been required. Of course, it is essential that better arrangements are put in place for these by-polls.



What was also relevant was the voter turnout. While it is being put at over 40 per cent in the province as a whole, it needs to be noted that the turnout was distinctly higher in Pashtun dominant districts compared with Baloch ones. This dichotomy is not welcome and once more illustrates the deep schisms that run through Balochistan and act to tear it apart. We will need to mend these tears to prevent a bigger rip running through the province.

The decision of certain elements to boycott the polling was also reflected in the results. While independents held sway, picking up 700 seats and indicating also the relative weakness of all political forces, with votes often cast on the basis of individual or clan loyalties, the Balochistan National Party-Mengal took only 24 seats. The ruling National Party fared well with 172 seats. But most important of all is the fact that the local government election went ahead. We now need to see the same happening in other provinces, while the Election Commission of Pakistan needs to learn from the errors made and ensure they are not replicated so that the process can go ahead without hitch during future rounds of polling.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2013.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.