THE statement of Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry that the 2023 general election would only be held after electoral reforms are implemented is symptomatic of an unbridgeable political divide that may lead to further rising of the tension in the country.
Addressing a news conference along with Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz on Sunday, he raised the ante further by repeating allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) describing him as a mouthpiece of the opposition and making demands for his resignation.
No saner element in the country would oppose electoral reforms as these are the need of the time to ensure credibility of future elections.
As the issue pertains to legitimacy of the elected government, it is in the interest of both the Government as well as the opposition to join hands to put in place a highly transparent and fair mechanism for holding of elections.
It is, however, unfortunate that the method being used to realize the objective of electoral reforms is self-cantered as both the Opposition and the Government are sticking to their points of view and are not willing to listen to the other.
It is also confusing as to why the entire focus of the electoral reforms is on the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) while other important elements, issues and recommendations that emerged in the past as a result of nation-wide debate and reports of different Committees and Commissions are being ignored.
Strangely enough, the Government is hell-bent to take all possible measures for the use of EVMs, sidelining objections of the Election Commission and the Opposition.
It is because of the harsh remarks made against the ECP that the PML(N) leader Maryam Nawaz has dubbed them as ‘blackmailing of the Commission and an attack on constitutional bodies’.
Dialogue is the essence of democracy but sadly enough the Government and the Opposition only talk through media and are not serious in sorting out differences through discussions and debate.
There are legal and constitutional issues surrounding the question of any delay in holding of elections but the threat mirrors growing desperation on the use of EVMs.
The two sides are not advancing the cause of democracy or fair elections by indulging in rhetoric and insisting on imposition of their views on the other side.
