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What we need to do to ensure ‘free and fair’ elections Pakistan?
Global Village Space |
Dr. Farid A. Malik |
The election in 1970 was free and fair as it was the first experience. Manipulative mechanisms were not in place. The people voted overwhelmingly against the establishment. Change was in the air. Since then there have been ten sham electoral exercises. Surprisingly the 1973 constitution has survived despite onslaughts from dictators and their political rogues who rule over us.
Use of biometric identification at the ballot box will control stuffing while the Khakis will ensure security.
It seems no one is interested in an honest ballot. That is why electoral reforms have been delayed. The Nasir-ul-Mulk commission pointed out serious irregularities in the 2013 election. No one has been taken to task, business as usual continues. ‘Khakis’, ‘Qazis’, ‘Baboos’, and ‘Siasis’ all look the other way around. All arrangements are in place to rig the next exercise. The will of the people will not prevail and the sufferings of the nation will continue unabated.
Read more: Why it is vital for ECP to call Army to supervise elections?
Recently Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has proposed recommendations for electoral reforms. Two of them are significant. Use of biometric identification at the ballot box will control stuffing while the Khakis will ensure security. Their measures are not enough to ensure a free and fair election but can produce a neutral ballot at best.
For a ballot to be neutral it has to be out of reach of tainted, dirty hands, for which the provincial administration has to be kept away. Election staff should be brought from other provinces and then moved out after tabulation of results.
In the sixties, as students, we came on the streets for our right to vote. Ayub Khan’s ‘Thana Politics’ was rejected. When the Khakis could no longer keep him in power, he was shown the door by his handpicked Army Chief Yahya Khan. The Khakis have always guarded their institutional interests, at times even at the cost of the nation. Zia’s dark ages rule and Musharraf’s NRO will take a long time to erase.
ECP needs reformations for ‘fair’ elections
In an environment of established rigging mechanisms, ‘neutral ballot’ has to be defined and understood. Manipulation systems are well entrenched and multifaceted. It all starts with the voters’ list and demarcation of constituencies. National Database And Registration Authority (NADRA) is responsible for the lists as well as Computerised National Identification Cards (CNICs). Obtaining multiple cards has now become difficult while the lists can be manipulated as was recently done in a crucial Lahore by-election.
Read more: 2018 Elections will be pointless: without “major electoral reforms”
Only genuine political leadership can bring back the Civil Servants to their expected levels for which a neutral ballot is required.
Read full article:
What we need to do to ensure ‘free and fair’ elections Pakistan?
Global Village Space |
Dr. Farid A. Malik |
The election in 1970 was free and fair as it was the first experience. Manipulative mechanisms were not in place. The people voted overwhelmingly against the establishment. Change was in the air. Since then there have been ten sham electoral exercises. Surprisingly the 1973 constitution has survived despite onslaughts from dictators and their political rogues who rule over us.
Use of biometric identification at the ballot box will control stuffing while the Khakis will ensure security.
It seems no one is interested in an honest ballot. That is why electoral reforms have been delayed. The Nasir-ul-Mulk commission pointed out serious irregularities in the 2013 election. No one has been taken to task, business as usual continues. ‘Khakis’, ‘Qazis’, ‘Baboos’, and ‘Siasis’ all look the other way around. All arrangements are in place to rig the next exercise. The will of the people will not prevail and the sufferings of the nation will continue unabated.
Read more: Why it is vital for ECP to call Army to supervise elections?
Recently Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has proposed recommendations for electoral reforms. Two of them are significant. Use of biometric identification at the ballot box will control stuffing while the Khakis will ensure security. Their measures are not enough to ensure a free and fair election but can produce a neutral ballot at best.
For a ballot to be neutral it has to be out of reach of tainted, dirty hands, for which the provincial administration has to be kept away. Election staff should be brought from other provinces and then moved out after tabulation of results.
In the sixties, as students, we came on the streets for our right to vote. Ayub Khan’s ‘Thana Politics’ was rejected. When the Khakis could no longer keep him in power, he was shown the door by his handpicked Army Chief Yahya Khan. The Khakis have always guarded their institutional interests, at times even at the cost of the nation. Zia’s dark ages rule and Musharraf’s NRO will take a long time to erase.
ECP needs reformations for ‘fair’ elections
In an environment of established rigging mechanisms, ‘neutral ballot’ has to be defined and understood. Manipulation systems are well entrenched and multifaceted. It all starts with the voters’ list and demarcation of constituencies. National Database And Registration Authority (NADRA) is responsible for the lists as well as Computerised National Identification Cards (CNICs). Obtaining multiple cards has now become difficult while the lists can be manipulated as was recently done in a crucial Lahore by-election.
Read more: 2018 Elections will be pointless: without “major electoral reforms”
Only genuine political leadership can bring back the Civil Servants to their expected levels for which a neutral ballot is required.
Read full article:
What we need to do to ensure ‘free and fair’ elections Pakistan?
