The Nation, Nov 17
THE elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, held on November 12, amid the charge of pre-poll rigging against the PPP, later caused other major political parties also to take to the streets of Skardu, the principal town in the region, in protest at what they alleged was massive manipulation of the polls. The exercise of conducting elections, the first since the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order was promulgated last August, was not without unpleasantness. Supporters of opponents clashed with one another resulting in loss of life and injuries. On the polling day, two persons died and 40 others were wounded in a fight at Diya Murdanali. Later, on Sunday, the third consecutive day of opposition parties’ demonstrations against the rigging charge, 23 protesters received injuries when rival groups (PML-N and PPP) exchanged brickbats at Skardu.
Although the PPP has recorded a convincing win in 11 out of 23 constituencies in which the polling took place and, with the joining of an independent candidate, it now has 12 seats in the bag, the accusations of rigging have damaged the credibility of the elections. They cannot be simply brushed under the rug, with the remark that the losing sides in Pakistan are wont to level such allegations, as the Prime Minister has done. First, the claim of pre-poll rigging: Mr Gilani’s announcement of a special package on the eve of the elections is being considered an unfair inducement to the electorate to vote for the PPP. For instance, the allocation of Rs2 billion and Rs1 billion for the construction of 200 new schools and 100 new dispensaries respectively in the region, it is being alleged, was designed to persuade the voters to switch over their loyalties. Besides, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan (PML-N), MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar and PML-N’s Ch Shujaat Hussain have talked of different forms of manipulation. Some party leaders have come out with the accusations of bogus votes cast; and the seizure of a polling station and taking the polling officer and staff there as hostages. In response to MQM’s charge that one of its candidates was attacked, GB Governor Qamar Zaman Kaira has alleged that MQM’s armed men were seen roaming around.
While it is highly necessary that the allegations are investigated into, the government that is to take over soon must sincerely work to honour the PM’s commitments. At the same time, the large potential of hydel power generation and mineral resources of the region must be exploited to benefit the local people as well as the whole of Pakistan.
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Editorials/17-Nov-2009/GilgitBaltistan-polls
The Daily Times, Nov 17
The Election Commission (EC) has announced the official results in 19 constituencies for the legislative assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Reflecting closely the unofficial results, the EC awarded 12 seats to the People’s Party while the remaining seats were shared by the other parties. The results for four seats are still awaited. The disturbing aspect of the tail-end of electioneering for the first-ever legislative assembly in the recently designated autonomous region is the squabble between political parties over charges of rigging, pre-poll as well as on the polling day. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was quick to refute the charges of unfair electoral practices a day after the election. The second tier party leadership too has echoed the same views. However, the EC has already ordered re-polling in some parts of Diamer District. The PML-Q and MQM have protested against what they termed as “unfair manipulation of the electoral process by the ruling party to get their candidates elected”. However, the PML-Q leadership struck a positive note by announcing that “the result will be accepted for the sake of ensuring the continuity of the democratic process in the country.” This caveat was somewhat at odds with democratic norms. Citing “strategic national interests”, Chaudhry Shujaat demanded a consensus government in the region. The term “consensus” seems to be the newfound panacea for all political forces with poor showing at the ballot box or those elements who wish to paralyse the incumbent government of a highly polarised society. PML-Q has so far won one seat in the GB election. The demand for a “consensus government” when the PPP appears to have won a comfortable simple majority is tantamount to placing “consensus” over and above the electorate’s mandate.
Sadly, the appearance of democratic tolerance displayed by the top political leadership was less evident at the grassroots level where skirmishes broke out among the activists of various political parties and supporters of candidates. In two separate incidents of violence, PPP activists clashed with the supporters of the PML-N and MQM. Several people were injured and when the police appeared unable to pacify the situation, the local administration imposed Section 144 in Skardu. On a pleasantly surprising note, the local religious leaders of various sects were seen helping the administration towards the restoration of normalcy in the area.
Disagreements regarding the fairness or validity of the electoral process or the results thereof are normal, especially in South Asia. However, our constitutional scheme has laid out a clear procedure and a proper platform to seek redress in such a contingency, namely the EC. It is advisable for the aggrieved political parties to approach the EC with any evidence of electoral malpractices. To demand directly from the government that re-polling be held in certain constituencies where alleged discrepancies have occurred appears more like an exercise in political point scoring than observance of genuine democratic procedures. In this context, the statement of the regional PPP chief seems more in conformity with the ground realities. He has hinted at the possibility of forming a coalition government with the parties that are already part of the government at the centre. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\11\17\story_17-11-2009_pg3_1
THE NEWS, Nov 17
The PML-Q and the MQM have made allegations of massive rigging by the PPP in Gilgit-Baltistan, where the ruling party swept the poll to 23 seats in the new legislative assembly for the region. The charges have been denied by the prime minister and other members of the winning party. This pattern of accusations and denials is of course not a new one. Disturbingly, the tensions between rival parties triggered clashes in Skardu as supporters pelted each other with stones. The losing parties have demanded re-elections on nine seats rather than on four, as announced by the Election Commission. The poll in Gilgit-Baltistan was monitored by neutral observers. A mission of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has noted the process was flawed. It has for instance stated the indelible ink to mark voters could in fact quite easily be removed and that the Benazir Income Support Programme may at times have been used unfairly. But the human rights body, with considerable experience in watching polls, does not appear to have found evidence of a large-scale attempt to alter the results.
As we have said before, there is only one way around this problem. Pakistan today urgently needs an autonomous and independent Election Commission, which is free of government control. The models for this used in other countries, including India, could help us work out how to set one up. The fact is that until this is done, every election will be followed by allegations of manipulation. After all the very nature of polls means there will always be winners and losers. One part of the democratic process is transparency and fair play at the ballot. This can be guaranteed only if the process is overseen by a body free from political affiliation and respected by all the major contestants. Otherwise we will continue to see the kind of unfortunate aftermath to polls that we are witnessing today in Gilgit-Baltistan. www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=208872
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