The new coalition government led by PML (N) appears to be serious to introduce much needed electoral reforms in order to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
The very intent was visible as soon after electing PPP’s Raja Parvez Ashraf as the new speaker, a motion was moved by PML (N) leader Murtaza Javed Abbassi in the lower house to constitute a parliamentary committee on electoral reforms.
The committee will complete the task within three months. It is need of the hour that electoral reforms are undertaken by political consensus, not only to restore confidence of all political parties, but also the public.
In current charged environment where political polarisation has reached new heights, free and transparent elections have become all the more imperative. Any question on legitimacy of future elections may entail serious consequences.
The present government will have to tread this path of electoral reforms more carefully while taking on board all political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), which has unfortunately tendered resignations from the National Assembly yet, still has presence in the Senate.
PTI should be engaged and its Senators be made part of parliamentary panel. Keeping bitterness aside, all sides will have to demonstrate flexibility and maturity in order to move forward.
The PTI is a political reality and any reforms san it, no matter how meaningful and wide-ranging these are, will prove to be a futile effort and only further polarise our society.
It is also obligatory for the PTI to become part of electoral reforms in larger national interest.
In our view, an all parties’ conference may also be held to discuss broader contours of electoral reforms.
Despite political fragmentation, political parties before the general elections 2018 had developed a consensus on Elections Act, 2017 which indeed was the outcome of one of the most extensive, detailed and consultative processes in the parliamentary history.
The course adopted by the PTI government for electoral reforms by sabotaging consensus should not be repeated as it may cause more political instability that can potentially reverse the process of democratic consolidation in the country.
The current coalition has valid reasons to do away with the use of Electronic Voting Machines yet giving voting rights to overseas Pakistanis will send out a positive message.
Hence, we will suggest that through latest electoral reforms, an IT based mechanism needs to be evolved by taking on board the NADRA and the ECP to ensure their participation in the process more inclusive.
Most importantly, the electoral reforms should focus on strengthening capacities of the ECP through definite legislative measures and appropriate financial resources.
It is unfortunate that after every election, losing parties raise qualms and reservations on credibility of the electoral process. The people are fed up to hear such allegations time and again.
It is time to come up with comprehensive reforms that plug all existing loopholes. The political parties have legal gurus and brains to achieve this task.
Then experts and organisations such as FAFEN and PILDAT may also be engaged to take their inputs on this important matter.
The eyes of the whole nation will be on formation and working of the Parliamentary Committee and if it comes up with a consensus document, it will be a great service and help to further promote democracy and democratic norms in the country.
Then, our political parties should also demonstrate some audacity to open-heartedly accept election results, as one sees in western democracies.
