PML(N) has demanded re-election in Sialkot’s NA-75 Constituency (Daska) following reports of worst type of irregularities during and after polling that prompted the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to order an inquiry into the controversy and withhold announcement of results, which the ruling party claims it has won with clear lead.
Demanding re-election, Vice President of PML(N) Maryam Nawaz said results of at least 20 polling stations were manipulated after “their staff members were taken hostage”.
Rejecting the claim, PTI leaders – Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary, Firdous Ashiq Awan and Usman Dar said they have won the election and would celebrate the victory once results are officially announced by the ECP.
The investigations are underway to look into the disappearance of about twenty presiding officers and the impact of their disappearance on the overall outcome of the election.
It is understood that the Election Commission would take a decision about re-polling in selected polling stations or in the entire constituency based on the findings of the inquiry report.
There were also reports of incessant aerial firing in many areas, obviously aimed at creating panic among people so that they do not come out of their homes to cast vote.
This aspect also needs to be investigated thoroughly as a number of people were virtually disenfranchised through this abhorring tactic.
However, irrespective of the findings and the decision of the ECP, the fact remains that the election in Daska became highly controversial because of extreme rivalry and positions adopted both by PTI and PML(N).
It is a reality that election staff disappeared with vote bags and material and reported to the Returning Officer at least six hours later in an otherwise easily accessible urban area and voters’ turn out in these polling stations was dramatically higher as compared to other polling stations of the constituency.
The circumstances surrounding the election in Daska have brought a bad name to the entire system and damaged the nascent democratic and electoral process.
Of course, the fate of the Daska election matters much in the given situation but it is all the more important to address the issues that have been highlighted during the by-election in this constituency.
It showed the electoral process was still vulnerable to manipulation despite bitter experience of 2013 and 2018 that affected the credibility of those general elections. The issue of rigging was agitated forcefully by PTI leadership and the resultant movement formed the basis for ultimate downfall of PML(N).
Similarly, the entire opposition cried foul after 2018 elections and is made rigging as the starting point for its anti-government agitation.
It is because of protests and other tactics adopted by the opposition after the 2013 and the 2018 elections that the governments could not concentrate fully on their fundamental responsibility of protecting life and property of citizens and providing relief to them.
The allegations of electoral irregularities and fraud deprive the elected governments of the required credibility and legitimacy to rule the country with full confidence and deliver as per their election manifestos.
Similarly, there have been demands from all sides to make the Election Commission fully autonomous and independent on the pattern of the Indian Election Commission but Daska election is a reminder about the fragility of the institution in the face of a highly treacherous environment.
The election has also pinpointed vulnerability of the local administration and the police that miserably failed to uphold the rule of law and neutrality. It shows the bureaucracy is as politicized today as before, therefore, steps should be taken to ensure that civil servants perform their responsibility and duty strictly in accordance with the book.
As general election, in any case, will have to be conducted in 2023, not much time is left for the Government and the Opposition to sit together and arrive at a consensus on electoral reforms.
This is because once there is constitutional and legal cover to these reforms, the Election Commission will also need some time to take necessary measures for their implementation in letter and spirit.
It is, however, regrettable that neither the Government nor the Opposition are focusing on the real issue of electoral reforms and sanctity of polls, maybe because the statuesque suits them. The flawed system might suit their petty interests but it is definitely not in the larger interests of the country, therefore, they must act now if they really care for the country.
