Hide and seek game is on as far as the timely conduct of the general election is concerned with some quarters still adamant to seek a delay whereas the electoral process is moving ahead as per schedule announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). In a latest development, a resolution was submitted in the Senate Secretariat Friday, seeking postponement of the nation-wide electoral exercise for three months. The resolution submitted by independent Senator Hidayatullah from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa refers to the terrorist attacks, especially in Balochistan and the KP and general law and order situation to recommend a postponement in polls slated for February 08.
It is intriguing that consistent efforts are being made to create confusion about the entire electoral process despite the fact that the earlier resolution adopted by the same house with a tiny number supporting it did not impact the overall election environment as almost all major parties threw their weight behind timely elections for the sake of democracy and political stability. No doubt, the security situation is not satisfactory and there are formidable threats to leadership of different political parties, who are being targeted in different areas to trigger a sense of insecurity. In a related development, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday claimed to have arrested two would-be suicide bombers sent to attack two senior politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Aimal Wali Khan.
An official said the arrested terrorists were members of Daesh and were trained across the border in Paktia, Afghanistan, in June 2023, confirming once again reports of foreign involvement in creating law and order situation in the country ahead of elections. However, there is no logic to derail the election process as the situation is unlikely to improve in a few weeks or months and the country cannot afford to delay polls for an indefinite period. While recommending a delay in elections, the proposed resolution also suggests that during the intervening period, the government should focus on creating an environment which guarantees a level-playing field for all political parties and candidates. The resolution is unlikely to get substantial endorsement even if it was tabled in the house as already PTI, PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami legislators filed a requisition for the Senate session to discuss the timely conduct of free and fair polls.
PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar submitted the requisition notice which was signed by members from the three political parties calling for the conduct of general elections on February 8. PML(N) too has, after a comprehensive exercise, finalized the awarding of party tickets for seats of the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies. Process is now underway for allocation of election symbols to party and independent candidates for which lists have already been issued by the ECP. It may also be pointed out that the Commission has received required funds from the government to make arrangements for different phases of the electoral process and a huge expenditure has already been incurred which would go waste in case the timing is delayed as per wishes of some circles. The political parties too are now focusing on their election manifestos and electioneering. It is also a fact that the traditional election fever is still missing but this is mainly because of the rumours and confusion being created about issues related to the timely conduct of the polls.
However, PPP leadership is already in the field and PML(N) is all set to launch a country-wide campaign from January 15 as so far it was focusing its attention on distribution of tickets and negotiations with other parties for seat adjustment. PTI is entangled in legal and other battles and might divert attention towards the election campaign once it is finished with some crucial issues that would influence its electoral fate. We believe that it is high time that all stakeholders should declare their commitment to not only hold polls on February 08 but also contribute their share in making the polls fair, transparent and credible.
This is important to scuttle the negative propaganda unleashed by some vested interests to make the elections controversial even before they are actually held. Any delay is unlikely as the date has been guaranteed by the Supreme Court, therefore, it is not prudent to waste time, energy and resources on undermining the process.
