The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has claimed 75 percent compliance with the new code of conduct in bye-election in NA-151, sources in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) told Business Recorder.
The ECP enforced redefined code of conduct for holding bye-polls in NA-151 Multan-IV in which the candidate of ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Abdul Qadir Gilani won against an independent though backed by PML-N, PTI, JI and other religio-political parties' candidate Shaukat Bosan.
"The Election Commission of Pakistan estimates that all the political parties in NA-151 Multan-IV by-election have 75 percent compliance to the directives issued to them," said an official of the ECP, adding that no complaints have so far been registered against the bye-lection with the Commission.
However, a non-governmental Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) voiced concerns over irregularities in various polling stations. It pointed out that additional counterfoils were filled on the ballot books at 37 polling stations whereas ballot papers were issued without filling the counterfoils at 11 polling stations, indicating strong possibility that fraudulent votes were stuffed in ballot boxes.
Similarly, FAFEN observers reported from one polling station that the numbers of Computerised National Identity Cards of voters as written on the counterfoils of the ballot books did not match the corresponding entries on the electoral rolls, again raising the possibility that fraudulent voting might have occurred.
It further noted that dubious thumb impressions were marked on the counterfoils of ballot books at the same angle with phasing out ink print at 19 polling stations. In the case of genuine voters, thumb impressions are marked in fresh, dark ink and are usually at varying angles.
Political observers argued that the ECP's modified code of conduct was appreciated as for the first time, elections were held in a transparent manner. The PPP as the party at the centre could have easily manipulated the election results as in the past, analysts maintained, and the fact that elections results were accepted by the losing candidate must be welcomed as improved performance of the ECP.
However, to ensure holding of free, fair and transparent general elections the government has to appoint a neutral and independent caretaker set-up in consultation with opposition parties, analysts added. When contacted, PML-N senior leader Tariq Azim Khan said that it was premature to determine whether the upcoming general elections will be held in transparent manner unless an independent caretaker was set up. "One can hope that the next general election could be held in free, fair and transparent manner if a neutral and independent caretaker set-up is appointed in consultation with all political parties," he added.
PTI was quick to point out that out of an electoral list of 83 million, 47 percent of the registered voters are under 35 years of age and this youth bracket will play an important role in upcoming polls - age group that is expected to favour PTI. According to numbers from National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), 47 per cent of the total electoral list is composed of young adults between the age of 18 and 35 - approximately 39 million people. And around 20 per cent are even in the younger age bracket of 18 to 25 years. Out of these 39 million people, around 30 million are those who until three years ago were simply not part of the electoral list, and these 30 million, previously untested youth, can be the game changers in the coming elections.