The calls for timely nationwide general elections as well as the concerns regarding the non-implementation of the constitutional decree by the interim rulers gained a significant upsurge in recent days. Interestingly, the coalition partners including the PPP, ANP and others who earlier played a crucial part in framing different electoral codes expressed reservations regarding the election time frame and urged the interim rulers to abide by the law. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and President Dr. Alvi are more concerned regarding the timely holding of elections as the former ruling party moved its henchman to exercise his constitutional power in this regard. The CEC and interim law minister told the President that it was the sole prerogative of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to announce the time frame for polls. At the time, the entire society, law bodies, intelligentsia, media and as well as the public were divided and highly polarized regarding the current political situation and linked it with the prevailing economic crises in the country. Unfortunately, neither the caretaker Prime Minister nor the ECP’s Chieftain ever endeavoured to forge a consensus among the civic groups and other stakeholders regarding the schedule of forthcoming polls so the prevailing uncertainty came to calm and political groups could initiate lobbying and election campaigns.
The months-long political turmoil and internal choas could not settle down, even after the PDM coalition government relinquished its charge and an interim setup took the ruins of the government. Although, the election could not be held within the 90-day stipulated time frame that falls in November this year. The ECP has announced the delimitation plan and things are moving toward an election and any unlimited delay in polls neither suits to establishment nor politicians. However, doubts among the masses, give birth to rumours and propaganda by YouTubers, social media activists and political analysts, surely hurting the political fraternity and the conducive environment necessary for the election. The state of Pakistan is seriously agonized by selfish policies and antagonism of its leaders who blatantly pursue their political agenda through biased assessment of certain laws, and constitution, which continuously incite perturbation and anxiety in the masses and weaken their confidence in the country. As of now, the warring political groups, the Electoral watchdog and the Country head quote certain clauses of the constitution to argue their case, however, no one acknowledges other pleas and everyone claims righteousness by walking the part of the petitioner, respondent, judge and jury simultaneously.
The ongoing political, economic and security situation does not portray an encouraging portrait of the country which slides into a blind alley. Realistically, the current political dismay and antagonism might suit an individual, a civic group or an institution but it surely has devastating effects on our social fabric and the country’s democracy. We have not yet missed an opportunity for a national consensus that is the essence of democracy, national cohesion and unity. The electoral process is a legal and constitutional issue instead of a power-sharing formula. The country has paid a heavy price for rigid politics and the aggressive behavior of its leaders and it can not afford such practices anymore. The nation demands political fraternity, the rule of the law, equal space and a level playing field for all political groups irrespective of their manifestos, political sloganeering and legacies in the past. No institution, no leader and no political group claims sole representation of the 230 million populace. The current situation merits political wisdom, sagacity of the leaders and tactfulness of the institution that smoothly steers the nation through such precarious conditions. Therefore, all relevant stakeholders including the President, the ECP and the incumbent government together with all political groups must sit together to deliberate on the present scenario, the legal implications and political constraints that might arise in the aftermath of elections. The country needs free, fair, timely and credible elections, equally acceptable to all political groups because that practice costs billions of rupees and would never come about with the desire of any individual, civic organization or pressure group. The history records movements of powerful figures and awaits their statesmanship which makes and breaks the nation.
