In democratic societies not only governments complete their constitutional terms but general elections are also held in a timely manner through an Independent Election Commission. But on the contrary since the establishment of Pakistan in our country the Election Commission has always been controversial.
In our entire political history the 1970 general elections are said to be fair and transparent. But the political party of the time along with the elite refused to accept its results as outcome of which the country was divided. After that incident the Election Commission could never be declared neutral.
Therefore every time after the general elections, the ruling parties accused of rigging and favoring the elite by the losing political parties. Unfortunately the country has been suffering from political anarchy and economic crisis for the past two years but despite of this some political forces may not want the general elections on February 8, 2024 to be held on time but keeping in mind their political interests so that should be delayed for a few more months.
The sad fact is that the head of a party has made a formal request to postpone the elections, which does not allow any political leader to demand delay in the democratic process.
It should be remembered that after the success of no confidence against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the country is politically in chaos due to which it is being ridiculed at the international level and if the series continues for a few more months.
The confidence of the international organizations in the country will increase. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all the working forces to hold general elections on the date announced by the Election Commission instead of giving importance to such statements. It should be remembered that in this regard caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and Chief Election Commission Sikandar Sultan Raja have made it clear that they are ready for the general elections.
Hence, there is a need to monitor the statements of the elements spreading doubts and correct it in time so that the rumors found among the public and political workers can be eliminated. On the other hand, some circles say that efforts are being made by the elite to keep Tehreek-e-Insaaf away from the election race and there has been a lot of uproar on social media.
If the present situation of Tehreek-e-Insaaf is examined it is found that its top leadership is already out of the race as it is facing its cases under arrest. Apart from this its workers are also facing trials on charges of sabotage on May 9. There is no need for any drastic measures to throw Tehreek-e-Insaaf out of the election race.
Obviously if this is done it will affect the transparency of the general elections which are already biased according to the country’s main political force the People’s Party. According to the senior leadership of the People’s Party in the current political situation no party is being given an equal opportunity except the Muslim League (N). Consequently it is necessary to allow the Election Commission to do its work instead of leading the situation to anarchy and to ensure that general elections are held in a free environment so as to bring political stability in the country.
Until democracy is restored in the true sense of the country the situation will continue in this bad way. Thus, all the general forces should come together to take the country on the path of development and set SOPs for political stability, which should be implemented and planned for the future so that future political governments are continuously changed in a democratic manner.
If the political system of the country is not paid attention to, the circumstances will worsen in the future and the country will be defamed at the international level.
