Edit in Dawn: HAD people not lost their lives, the ham-fisted attempt at rigging the Daska by-election on Feb 19 could have been described as a parody. In fact, what transpired that day was a shocking display of the extent to which local and provincial administrations were willing to go to corrupt the process. It is therefore fitting that the Election Commission of Pakistan has declared the by-election null and void. In its detailed order issued on Thursday, the ECP said that the poll “has not been conducted honestly, fairly and in a transparent manner… leading to make the process of results doubtful/ unascertainable”. Not only did officers of 20 polling stations go missing after the votes were cast, but violent clashes created an atmosphere of intimidation for voters during the day, thereby rendering the exercise egregiously tainted overall. The regulatory body has therefore announced re-election not only at the 20 polling stations that were considered problematic, but in the entire constituency. While the PML-N, which is claiming that its candidate’s mandate was stolen, welcomed the ECP’s decision, the PTI revised its initial stance. It had earlier said that it respected the ECP’s decision and that it proves the PTI had fulfilled its pledge to allow institutions to function independently. Later however, the ruling party said it would challenge it in the Supreme Court.
The Daska by-election can be seen as a test case. With general elections a little over two years away, and possibly other polls in the interim, had the ECP taken a lenient view of the excesses committed, it would have sent a very wrong message and opened the floodgates for more in the same vein. Moreover, the regulatory body has also taken to task those involved in the brazen attempt to thwart the will of the people in the Daska constituency. Exercising the powers given to it under the Elections Act 2017 to ensure that polls are held in a conducive manner, the ECP has ordered federal and provincial authorities to suspend several public officials. These personnel, according to the ECP statement, will not be appointed for any election duty in future. The Punjab chief secretary and IG police, both federal appointees, have been summoned by the regulatory body for “ignoring their duties” on the day in question. It is heartening that the ECP under its current chairman has demonstrated it will tolerate nothing less than a free and fair election.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1609661/null-and-void
Edit in The Express Tribune:
The right of franchise is generally considered to be a sacred right; and specific, independent institutions are built and strengthened to zealously guard that right. While we have seen such institutions being used as pawns or being left completely toothless, a corner is, perhaps, about to be turned. The bold decision taken by the ECP to order repolling in NA-75 Daska over complaints of rigging is an integral part of safeguarding the basic rights of the public, and perhaps also preserving its integrity.
The events unfolding on the polling day are not unprecedented by any means. Pakistan is not new to any format of pre-poll or poll-day rigging, or violence for that matter. From money changing hands to announcements of grand development plans or even award of development funds to lawmakers, rigging in Pakistan can be crude, crafty and downright ugly. All of it, however, is done with a singular aim: swaying the decision in a particular manner to benefit one group. And the group with deeper pockets, greater muscle, and bigger “determination” is the one that come out with the win.
In the past, the ECP has been wary of challenging the status quo. Rather, it worked to simply ensure that elections are held on time; and if there are sufficient opposition and evidence, a recount is ordered. Often, it has found itself to be a silent spectator or at best an unwilling participant in the rigging process. But in Daska, it became a victim itself. Where honesty and integrity of the staff are essential to carry out its regular functions, to be able to stand up to the aggressors requires real courage.
The opposition, in this instance, the PML-N, has been the loudest in terming the ECP decision a vindication of their stance and their entire “respect the vote” movement. While the party also sees the ECP order as an indictment of the government, it must not forget that its own efforts to strengthen this institution were half-hearted at best. The ECP’s stance must be supported by all in the country, but with the intent of strengthening it as an institution and guaranteeing its independence.https://tribune.com.pk/story/2286501/repoll-order
The Daska Verdict: edit in The Nation, Feb 27, 2021
It would be an understatement to say that the by-elections in Daska (NA-75) were controversial. The widespread allegations of fraud—leading to a case before a five-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja—are a troubling indication of the short-term future of politics in Pakistan.
PTI’s defence was that the irregularities of 20 polling stations in the constituency did not make it right to say that the final outcome itself should be challenged. PML-N demanded a forensic audit of votes cast in the 20 polling stations whose results are questionable. PPP senior leader and Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani insisted that not only there should re-poll but also those responsible must be punished.
By ordering a repolling, the ECP made the right decision—there were just far too many inconsistencies for the results of the by-election to be completely credible. Presiding officers in the constituency going missing for seven hours is not something to take lightly.
What is fascinating—and unfortunate for the government—is how quickly polarising this by-election became. What PTI perhaps saw as a way to win a National Assembly seat in a PML-N heartland has backfired as the area remains more polarised than ever, and now the government faces allegations of rigging as well. The by-election should be a lesson to the government to not underestimate the extent of support PML-N still enjoys in some parts of Punjab.
However, the mess has been made; it is still the government’s right to fix it. PTI is justified in appealing the by-election results; the party has agreed to re-polling several times in the past. However, any action the government plans to take, it must do so quickly—any matter concerning the democratic process needs to be resolved with urgency.https://nation.com.pk/27-Feb-2021/the-daska-verdict
Daska Verdict- repoll ordered: edits, Feb 27,2021
Edit in Dawn: HAD people not lost their lives, the ham-fisted attempt at rigging the Daska by-election on Feb 19 could have been described as a parody. In fact, what transpired that day was a shocking display of the extent to which local and provincial administrations were willing to go to corrupt the process. It is therefore fitting that the Election Commission of Pakistan has declared the by-election null and void. In its detailed order issued on Thursday, the ECP said that the poll “has not been conducted honestly, fairly and in a transparent manner… leading to make the process of results doubtful/ unascertainable”. Not only did officers of 20 polling stations go missing after the votes were cast, but violent clashes created an atmosphere of intimidation for voters during the day, thereby rendering the exercise egregiously tainted overall. The regulatory body has therefore announced re-election not only at the 20 polling stations that were considered problematic, but in the entire constituency. While the PML-N, which is claiming that its candidate’s mandate was stolen, welcomed the ECP’s decision, the PTI revised its initial stance. It had earlier said that it respected the ECP’s decision and that it proves the PTI had fulfilled its pledge to allow institutions to function independently. Later however, the ruling party said it would challenge it in the Supreme Court.
The Daska by-election can be seen as a test case. With general elections a little over two years away, and possibly other polls in the interim, had the ECP taken a lenient view of the excesses committed, it would have sent a very wrong message and opened the floodgates for more in the same vein. Moreover, the regulatory body has also taken to task those involved in the brazen attempt to thwart the will of the people in the Daska constituency. Exercising the powers given to it under the Elections Act 2017 to ensure that polls are held in a conducive manner, the ECP has ordered federal and provincial authorities to suspend several public officials. These personnel, according to the ECP statement, will not be appointed for any election duty in future. The Punjab chief secretary and IG police, both federal appointees, have been summoned by the regulatory body for “ignoring their duties” on the day in question. It is heartening that the ECP under its current chairman has demonstrated it will tolerate nothing less than a free and fair election.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1609661/null-and-void
Edit in The Express Tribune:
The right of franchise is generally considered to be a sacred right; and specific, independent institutions are built and strengthened to zealously guard that right. While we have seen such institutions being used as pawns or being left completely toothless, a corner is, perhaps, about to be turned. The bold decision taken by the ECP to order repolling in NA-75 Daska over complaints of rigging is an integral part of safeguarding the basic rights of the public, and perhaps also preserving its integrity.
The events unfolding on the polling day are not unprecedented by any means. Pakistan is not new to any format of pre-poll or poll-day rigging, or violence for that matter. From money changing hands to announcements of grand development plans or even award of development funds to lawmakers, rigging in Pakistan can be crude, crafty and downright ugly. All of it, however, is done with a singular aim: swaying the decision in a particular manner to benefit one group. And the group with deeper pockets, greater muscle, and bigger “determination” is the one that come out with the win.
In the past, the ECP has been wary of challenging the status quo. Rather, it worked to simply ensure that elections are held on time; and if there are sufficient opposition and evidence, a recount is ordered. Often, it has found itself to be a silent spectator or at best an unwilling participant in the rigging process. But in Daska, it became a victim itself. Where honesty and integrity of the staff are essential to carry out its regular functions, to be able to stand up to the aggressors requires real courage.
The opposition, in this instance, the PML-N, has been the loudest in terming the ECP decision a vindication of their stance and their entire “respect the vote” movement. While the party also sees the ECP order as an indictment of the government, it must not forget that its own efforts to strengthen this institution were half-hearted at best. The ECP’s stance must be supported by all in the country, but with the intent of strengthening it as an institution and guaranteeing its independence.https://tribune.com.pk/story/2286501/repoll-order
The Daska Verdict: edit in The Nation, Feb 27, 2021
It would be an understatement to say that the by-elections in Daska (NA-75) were controversial. The widespread allegations of fraud—leading to a case before a five-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja—are a troubling indication of the short-term future of politics in Pakistan.
PTI’s defence was that the irregularities of 20 polling stations in the constituency did not make it right to say that the final outcome itself should be challenged. PML-N demanded a forensic audit of votes cast in the 20 polling stations whose results are questionable. PPP senior leader and Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani insisted that not only there should re-poll but also those responsible must be punished.
By ordering a repolling, the ECP made the right decision—there were just far too many inconsistencies for the results of the by-election to be completely credible. Presiding officers in the constituency going missing for seven hours is not something to take lightly.
What is fascinating—and unfortunate for the government—is how quickly polarising this by-election became. What PTI perhaps saw as a way to win a National Assembly seat in a PML-N heartland has backfired as the area remains more polarised than ever, and now the government faces allegations of rigging as well. The by-election should be a lesson to the government to not underestimate the extent of support PML-N still enjoys in some parts of Punjab.
However, the mess has been made; it is still the government’s right to fix it. PTI is justified in appealing the by-election results; the party has agreed to re-polling several times in the past. However, any action the government plans to take, it must do so quickly—any matter concerning the democratic process needs to be resolved with urgency.https://nation.com.pk/27-Feb-2021/the-daska-verdict
Published in Pak Media comment