Democracy and elections are inseparable, so in the world’s stable democracies, timely holding of elections is ensured even in the case of natural disasters and wars. However, repeated unconstitutional terminations of elected governments and long periods of authoritarian governments have not allowed the democratic culture to develop fully through a timely, transparent and credible election process in Pakistan.

However, it is a matter of satisfaction that despite the successive incidents of terrorism in recent past, the preparations for the elections are proceeding rapidly. With the completion of the process of scrutiny and approval of candidates' nomination papers, the classification of normal, highly sensitive and sensitive polling stations across the country has been completed.

According to sources, the polling stations established across the country have been divided into A, B and C categories, under which 42 and a half thousand out of 92,500 polling stations in the country are normal, 32,508 sensitive and 17 and a half are ok but more than a thousand have been declared highly sensitive.

The Election Commission has decided to monitor the highly sensitive polling stations across the country with cameras.

In view of the concerns of unrest, CCTV cameras will be installed at more than 17,500 highly sensitive polling stations across the country, from which the polling stations will be monitored. Voting, counting and preparation of results will also be monitored.

It would have been better if cameras were installed in all the polling stations to prevent suspicions, but probably due to lack of financial resources, this would not have been possible. Political leaders and workers must also show responsibility for elections free from lawlessness, riots, accusations and provocations.

It would be good if the political parties voluntarily make a mutual agreement in this regard, which will surely help in reducing the threats of terrorism.

Meanwhile, the important stage of submitting nomination papers to participate in the general elections has been completed and more than 32 thousand candidates have submitted their nomination forms to the relevant rating officers for the election of 859 members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, including special seats for women and minorities.

The examination also started from Monday. The process will be completed on December 30, after which the Election Commission will announce the final list of candidates after the date for withdrawal of nomination papers has passed.

On the occasion of submitting the papers, great enthusiasm was seen among the candidates and their supporters. Dozens of candidates are in the fray for one seat in some constituencies. They include heads of political parties and other important figures.

The Election Commission has announced the list of 175 political parties participating in the elections, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, but its leader's box is empty as the commission rejected his party's election for not following the rules. However, the Peshawar High Court has allowed its electoral symbol, which was earlier withdrawn.

The Commission has directed to give equal opportunities to all parties to participate in the election.

 Interestingly, the election activities have started but no party except Jamaat-e-Islami has announced its election manifesto yet. The election campaign has so far been limited to pointing out and blaming each other's weaknesses.

It is said that other parties are busy preparing their election narratives and manifestos and will announce their agenda after the final list of candidates is out. After that, it will be known which party proposes the solution to the current difficulties and problems faced by the country and the people.

The caretaker government has said that it is fully supporting the steps taken by the Election Commission for fair, transparent and fair elections but it also depends on the political parties themselves and their workers to what extent they make their election campaign peaceful and purposeful.

For this, it is necessary that the political leaders take the country's problems seriously in their speeches and present a positive plan instead of provocation. In fact, this is the urgent need of the hour. The nation is currently suffering from political uncertainty, economic instability, worst inflation and unemployment crisis.

Meawhile, the World Bank in a recent report has expressed fears that the elections will not bring any major changes in the country and the new government will face most of the same problems that the previous governments faced so far. 

What is needed is that the caretaker government and all political parties have to adopt an attitude of patience and tolerance in the interest of the country. Especially political parties have to include positive and constructive programs in their election agenda.

Abusive language, slander and mockery should be avoided.

At this critical juncture in the country's history, an election campaign based on patience and tolerance is in the interest of the nation. The choice of future leadership is the power of the people and it is best to accept whoever they choose in a democratic manner. It is impossible to deny the importance of electoral symbol in the process of general elections, especially polling. Political parties, voters and the Election Commission itself take help from it to make their affairs simple and transparent, from the printing of ballot papers to the counting of votes.

Meanwhile, key political figures mainly from the PPP have condemned the police abuse of PTI leader Shah Mehmood and said that such a mistreatment of the politician from any party is condemnable and against the norm of democracy.

Meanwhile, People's Party Senators and other key leaders have termed such behavior with any politician including Shah Mehmood Qureshi as regrettable, saying PPP has always fought state oppression, and its leaders do not believe in oppression and violence against political leaders and workers in any form. It any political leaders is wanted in any case, the arrest be made within legal frame work  and within moral values. Such practices should be done away with as this will pollute the election environment.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 29 2023

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