By
Saeed Mashaal Bhatti
In the
modern world governments are run by the political representatives who are
elected through elections. In Pakistan elections are contested on party
basis, though some candidates contest as independent candidates. The party
which gets a majority in the legislature forms the government. Therefore, the
process of the election plays an important role in making or marring the
destiny of the country. For electoral process code of conduct serves the basic
guide lines. Code of conduct that has been issued by
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) provides the basic philosophy or
theoretical framework. But when we see political culture of Pakistani society, there
are some differences between practices and philosophy, this difference is the
outcome of weak writ of the state or lack of will to implement the code of the
conduct.
Calling of foreign observers by Election
Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for election is very good sign as impartial
election observers can strengthen an electoral process by providing an
independent assessment of election preparations, capabilities, and fairness. As
we know that elections have certain financial burdens on the economy. What if
those impartial election observers term the election as rigged one? Can our
economy and society bear the cost of reelections? The answer is obviously no,
as economy is already in shambles and society is gasping under the deteriorating
law and order inflicted by terrorism. Therefore, these political outcomes may
have some unpleasant repercussions in the political arena so Pakistan as state,
government and society has no other option but to go through free and fair
election. All political parties should include in their manifesto some
assumptions that deal with the political participation in order to restore the
trust of masses on the performance of political system.
There should be no intervention from the
supporters of the political parties. Election commission of Pakistan should
increase the distance of their presence at poling stations so that polling is
carried out with out any loss of time or momentum. It will also create a good
will gestures for the neutral voters who have no political affiliation or will
vote on some standards but are fearful of their lives and security due to
flamboyant environment. Show of weaponry becomes a decisive factor in the mind
of prone-to-insecurity individuals. So it should be prohibited strictly and
sever actions should be taken against those who violates the legal boundaries
provided by election commission.
Election commission should give due
importance to training and the capacity building of the staff for election.
People should be appointed beyond any affiliation or individuals pro-state
rather than pro-government should be appointed. Pragmatically, the environment
of the polling stations is rife with pressure, confrontations and threats,
though it is the true reflection of social circumstances in the society. The
officials deputed there should be of minimum 17 BPS who have experience to work
under such social situations, hopefully, it would leave less psychological
impact on the environment of poling stations.
It is no more theoretical evidence existing
only in debates but is bare reality that police has become a linchpin or a
stakeholder in the society in terms of power. It has been used by despotic
military rulers or even many democratic governments as an agent to serve their
interest. So in the period near to general elections certain arrangements are
made that can play a decisive role on the end result in political
participation. Transfers are initiated by the ongoing government at the behest
of potential candidates competing in the relevant constituencies. Transfers
prior to three months of election commission should be allowed in coordination
with the election commission. The role of police should be minimized on poling
stations, security, law and order of the poling stations should be handed over
to other law enforcement agencies as politicization of the police have rendered
it prone to abuse of power. And under these circumstances definition of political
participation stipulated in 1948 Universal Declaration of Human
Rights as “every citizen shall have the
right and the opportunity, without … unreasonable restrictions”.
Rules along with prescribed punishments and
fines should be displayed at public places before three months of the due dates
of election in order to create awareness among masses. These rules along with
prescribed punishments and fines should also be present at every poling
station. An information system should also be maintained by the election
commission to ledge any kind of complaint by citizenry. There should be active
response units ready to react to these complaints on the basis of truthfulness
under the leadership of judicial magistrate.
Transparent ballot system along with
transparent voting system should be ensured as some candidates tend to show or
display open allegiance to certain political parties. This action is equivalent
to influence the opinion and decisions of others people who are casting the
vote. Such individual forces should not be allowed to show off their uncivil
behavioral patterns. Such individuals should be punished with fines and even
cancellation of his or her right to franchise in order to encourage smooth
election process and political participation.
It is also time for intelligentsia, media and
civil society to propagate the public for political participation. Masses can
only influence public affairs by using the right to political participation. Under international standards, men and women
have an equal right to participate fully in all aspects of the political
process. It is the time to deliver as a nation as election is not only the
vehicle of political change but the true reflection of day to day attitudes and
behaviors.
