AS utter confusion persists about formation of new governments and the political future of the country, President Dr Arif Alvi has emphasized the need for respecting the mandate of the people and also lamented suspension of social media service ‘X’ in Pakistan. Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, he regretted that ‘competent’ people were being forced out of politics and believed the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and e-voting for overseas Pakistanis should have been implemented during the general election.
There can be no two opinions that the mandate of the people should be respected in all circumstances irrespective of the fact whether or not the outcome of the electoral exercise suits political or other interests of anyone. However, there cannot and should not be ‘pick and choose’ when it comes to respecting the mandate of the people. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is a tendency to raise hue and cry about one’s own mandate and show disrespect for the mandate of others. This happened in the last general election as well when the mandate of other parties was stolen through horse-trading and the practice was legitimized as voice of the conscience. In the recent elections, it is quite obvious that the people have given a split mandate but efforts are being made to cast doubts on the legitimacy of the mandate of some parties on the pretext of rigging, which has not yet been established. Isn’t it strange that results in Punjab and urban Sindh are being challenged ignoring complaints how landslide victories were achieved in KP and interior Sindh with the alleged involvement of election staff, which is largely considered to be pro-PTI and pro-PPP respectively? We have been emphasizing in these columns that a comprehensive grievance redressal system is in place and protests are premature before exhausting the available mechanisms. Electronic voting machines can surely offer an answer to the allegations of rigging and manipulation of results only if the technology is not misused in favour of one party or to the detriment of another. In fact, there is nothing wrong with the existing system that has the potential to produce highly transparent elections but there are serious questions about intentions and vested interests. In the given situation, introduction of EVMs could only mean transforming the nature of the menace of rigging from ‘retail’ to ‘wholesale’. Introduction of EVMs and implementation of e-voting for overseas Pakistanis would expand the scope of allegations of rigging and manipulation if done without a transformative change in behaviour, traditions and respect for rule of law and the Constitution. It is because of manipulation of results and free-for-all misuse of social media that the youth of the country are fast losing faith in the future of the country which should be a matter of concern for all political parties and the stakeholders. The President has rightly pointed out that there could be consequences of exclusion of people in the political and developmental process. However, this cannot be a one-sided affair and it is also the responsibility of the politicians and the political parties to demonstrate firm commitment to the supremacy of the law and the Constitution as well as Parliament. If someone takes the law into one’s own hands, violates law or the Constitution and indulges in corruption, then there are consequences and there should not be opposition to proper legal processes. One must concur with the worthy President when he expresses concern over suspension of social media platform ‘X’ services throughout the country. He has legitimately ascribed it to the lack of intellectual capacity to handle criticism. The President was talking in terms of freedom of expression and the need to counter propaganda on social media instead of blocking its services time and again but industry people have been expressing serious concern over disruption of IT services on the pretext of security. Repeated closure of internet services and social media platforms are sending highly negative signals to existing as well as prospective investors and it would be a difficult task to restore their shattered confidence and realize the dream of tapping the immense potential of IT growth in the country. The issue of fake news and disinformation is also a concern of the governments around the globe but it is only in Pakistan that the easiest solution of closure of services is done every now and then at the cost of the future of IT in the country.
