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That some abnormal incidence of violence would mar electioneering ahead of May 11 general election was a highly expected development. That fear has unfortunately found its best expression in exacting a heavy toll on life and limb (72 killed, including an ANP candidate for Karachi's NA-254 seat and his son after Friday prayers). Reports of bomb blasts outside political parties offices, attacks on their rallies and armed assaults on contestants are the daily media feed.
That some parties are in sharper range of fire as compared to their rivals is also a stark reality. Even then none of the parties has announced boycott of the polls; on the other hand they have declared to fight back the threat of violence and not run away. It is certainly a heartening development, reflecting as it does the democratic forces' determination never to submit to the tyranny of dictatorial mindset regardless of consequences. Army Chief General Kayani's confidence in the May 11 election or majesty of democracy followed by extensive troops deployment across the country to protect the polls have given birth to some highly important developments that have greatly turn the tables on the prophets of doom and gloom so much so that teachers in Balochistan who earlier announced the boycott of poll duties have rescinded their decision. And the parties being targeted by anti-democratic forces have reaffirmed their resolve that they will never quit. But even then there is a new development which tends to sap public morale as it creates doubts about the viability of the outcome of this most critical election in the history of Pakistan. And, ironically and perhaps unwittingly, the demoralising action is courtesy none else but the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan. "Give me law and order, I will give you fair, free and transparent elections," says former Justice Fakhruddin G Ebrahim - as if the deteriorated law and order is a sudden happening unexpected by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
That violence will continue to bedevil prospects of peaceful polls in the country the danger was always there. Given our geo-politics, Pakistan is not likely to have perfectly calm polity anytime soon. But that doesn't mean as long as ideal peace and tranquillity is not obtained, democracy should keep sitting in the waiting room. Paradoxically, more the risk in holding polls more the need to have them, for the birth of a government midwifed by an election is now the only option with the people of Pakistan. By predicating free and fair elections upon normal law and order situation the Chief Election Commissioner has provided the much-needed ammunition to those who would like to reject the outcome of polls on May 11. Already some of the political leaders are beating the drums of foul play, conditioning their acceptance of the results of May 11 elections on a situation what they call a level playing field. Ordinarily, such threats are taken as given in the heat and hype of electioneering, a habit all the more common in Pakistan. But, invariably it is taken in good stride, and forgotten not long before. But by questioning credibility of May 11 elections the Chief Election Commissioner has seemingly armed the rejectionists of the outcome with a powerful argument. The question is - if the ECP is not sure about fairness and transparency of the upcoming electoral exercise then why to have it? We would have expected of the present election commission, being staffed with the best available individuals in terms of their personal integrity and sense of justice, hope and positivism instead of generating misgivings about the general elections. Of course, the incumbent caretakers are not in an ideal position, backed by impartial, effective bureaucratic machinery. They can do only as much. But, that weakness is greatly compensated and balanced by the GHQ's total, unqualified support not for elections as scheduled but that every possible step to make it happen would be taken. We hope the Chief Election Commissioner's remarks that tend to undermine the electoral spirit and ambience are elaborated so as to deny space to potential rejectionists of the outcome of May 11 elections.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2013

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