An uneven playing field

Finally, taking notice of the loud objections raised by opposition parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has stopped implementation of the 'Kisaan Package' announced by the Prime Minister on September 15, ie, three weeks - close to the start of polls - after the announcement of local government elections schedule for Punjab and Sindh. The ECP secretary told reporters on Wednesday that the schemes already included in the budget had not been touched, but three components of the package that were over and above the budget were found by the Commission to be in violation of the code of conduct. These include Rs 5,000 direct cash support for farmers who cultivate an area less than 12.5 acres; 2 percent reduction in the rate of interest on loans for farmers growing rice and cotton; and relief in prices of agricultural inputs.
Timing of the package announcement had raised many eyebrows. PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari issued a statement strongly criticising the relief package as a 'political gimmick' while the PTI Chairman Imran Khan termed it "pre-poll rigging". In its defence, the ruling PML-N took the position that the relief measures were part of an overarching economic policy, and that they were included in Finance Minister Ishaq Dar's budget speech. However, as the ECP Secretary noted, these were over and above the budgetary provisions. It is also worthwhile to recall that in the run-up to general elections in Gilgit-Baltistan earlier this year, the Prime Minister had dangled a similar carrot before the voters, announcing a Rs 47 billion development package, winning a resounding victory for the PML-N. At that time, too, the PTI had raised objections asking the ECP to intervene, but to no avail. The PPP, which ruled GB previously, faced a route, and the PTI saw a lot of cold water poured on its hopes of securing a prominent place in the areas power structure. Arguably, the PML-N might have won even otherwise, but there is no denying that bread and butter matters tend to play a significant role in elections everywhere.
Notably, the ECP's suspension order is to hold only until December 3, that is, till the end of the LG polls in the two largest provinces. In other words, the reward remains on the table, giving the government double advantage over its opponents. One, of course, is that the voters would be reminded that mouth watering relief measures are still waiting to be implemented; and second that reason for the delay are the parties standing in the way. It could also create the apprehension that once the elections are over the PML-N government might change the plan on one pretext or another. In any event, until the elections are over, the package may well be used by the government to discredit its rivals for creating a hindrance. The entire episode smacks of negative discrimination. For the future, the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms needs to restrict governments from announcing such special packages at the election time.