IT augurs well for the democratic and electoral process that almost all parties that matter have instantly rejected the proposition of any delay in February 08 general elections following adoption of a resolution by the upper house of the parliament that sought a delay citing harsh weather conditions and security concerns. The Senate Secretariat was, however, quick to notify the passage of the resolution on priority basis, sending its copies to all relevant personalities and ministries for further action. The resolution expressed confidence in the ability of the Election Commission of Pakistan to effectively manage and oversee the revised election schedule, ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process but at the same time recommended postponement of present schedule for general elections in view of the current law and order situation in the country, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Adoption of a resolution by merely 14 members in a house of 100 becomes a non-event as the low numbers in favour of the move doesn’t lend any credibility to the recommendation, especially when the overwhelming majority representing major political parties either deliberately or unintentionally stayed away during its passage. It is also a fact that resolutions of the parliament are mere recommendations and expression of views and have no binding force and therefore, its passage recommending a delay in holding general elections is not a serious issue. However, it is also a fact that its sudden adoption rang alarm bells in the country as the move signaled potent threats to the election process that has moved ahead despite roadblocks and polls are just about a month away. It showed that someone wanted the polls to be delayed and the forum of the upper house is clumsily being used to create a favourable environment for the purpose. We have been emphasizing in these columns that postponement of the existing election schedule becomes an improbability in the presence of a Supreme Court headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, which minced no words in relaying a clear and unambiguous message that polls will have to be held on the slated date at all costs. This is surely known to all quarters and therefore, moves like adoption of a resolution by a tiny number can just be considered as part of deliberate attempts to keep the confusion intact about polling date, which is not allowing the electioneering to pick up the required momentum. The situation could become serious if in line with the recommendation of the house further concrete steps are initiated to delay the elections. It was, perhaps, with this in view that the senior leader of PTI Barrister Gohar Khan not only condemned the approval of ‘undemocratic resolution’ but also demanded the Supreme Court to called on the top court to take effective and remedial measures to foil attempts to delay or affect the transparency and fairness of elections. He stated that the party was fully prepared for the general elections and would not accept or tolerate any nefarious attempts to delay the elections come what may. Spokesperson of PML(N) Marriyum Aurangzeb took to social media platform ‘X’ to assert the party position that it wants no delay in the Feb 8 polls, adding that PML(N) was making preparations for the elections. Another PML-N leader Javed Latif went to the extent of saying the backdoor conspiracy in the Senate to postpone elections would not succeed. Subscribing to the view that it was a conspiracy to harm elections and democracy, Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq said people could not be deprived of their fundamental right to elect their representatives via transparent elections. PPP, which faced embarrassment as its lone member present in the house during voting on the resolution did not oppose it (unlike Senator Afnanullah of PML-N who opposed it), later came out with explanations that it firmly stands for timely polls. Its Senator Sherry Rehman also tried to downplay the impact of the resolution, saying that it didn’t carry any weight as the house failed to meet the quorum requirements for such a move. Anyhow, there are no cogent reasons for delaying polls and instead of creating confusion and uncertainty all parties and stakeholders should lend their support and cooperation to the Election Commission in discharging its responsibilities to hold free, fair and peaceful elections.
