DESPITE poisonous propaganda unleashed by some vested interests, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is determined to move ahead and conduct the general election on 08 February. The electoral watchdog, in a letter addressed to the Senate Secretariat, has conveyed in unequivocal terms that it is ‘not advisable’ for it to delay the general election ‘at this stage’ when all the necessary arrangements are in place. The letter pointed out that the election date was decided in consultation with President Arif Alvi and that the Commission had directed the caretaker federal and provincial governments to ensure the maintenance of law and order.
The response of the Commission came after passage of a resolution by the upper house recommending postponement of elections for a few weeks and is reflective of its deep commitment to discharge its constitutional responsibility despite visible and invisible hurdles being created in the way of electoral process. Some circles were even engaged in baseless propaganda that the Commission was not sincere in holding timely elections but obviously such allegations were politically motivated and were aimed at making a national institution controversial. It is appreciable that in the midst of a highly treacherous environment and pressure tactics, the Commission has not faltered from its resolve to stick to the election schedule and all necessary preparations are being made for polls on February 08. Propaganda of the critics against the ECP and the Chief Election Commissioner notwithstanding, a cursory glance of the measures so far adopted by the Commission, its statements and handling of legal issues would leave no doubt in the minds of all patriotic Pakistanis that it is discharging its obligations in a highly professional manner. In the letter to the Senate, the Commission has rightly pointed out that elections have been held during winter in the past as well and as for the law and order situation is concerned, the caretaker governments at federal and provincial levels and Pakistan Army have repeatedly given assurance of extending necessary cooperation for smooth, free and transparent conduct of the electoral exercise. It is also encouraging that despite receiving serious setbacks, mostly because of its own follies and blunders, PTI is still expressing its determination to participate in the electoral process. Similarly, other political parties have also launched their election campaign and their leaders are explaining their would-be policies and programmes to ameliorate the lot of the people. Now only three weeks are left until the polls and therefore no attempts should be made to distract attention from the noble cause of holding elections on the announced date so that the country moves towards political and economic stability.
