A Voice of America report says that violent incidents are on the rise as polling day nears. According to the report, the purpose of [this] ….. can either be to get the polls delayed or to sabotage the process. The Awami National Party has so far borne the brunt of most terror acts ……the party has constantly been getting threats from the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Electioneering has yet to kick off in Karachi as no big meeting has been arranged by the ANP, MQM or PPP.

So far, several reasons have hampered parties from campaigning enthusiastically for the May 11 vote. These have included the initial uncertainty of the elections being held at all. Indecision over party candidates and valid security concerns have been other reasons, with some candidates and their supporters falling pry to acts of terrorism. All this has taken away from the festivity of the election season that has its own distinctiveness in this part of the world. Traditionally, after the Raj days, public meetings and processions were the most effective mode of political mobilization. This time, it is TV and social media on which the parties and candidates have largely relied to convey their viewpoints to potential voters, and this mode of campaigning has not contributed to electoral vitality.

Now we come to this point that the culture of guns cannot be beneficial to any society but unfortunately it has been made a custom in our country. Right from day one, a malicious campaign was launched against politicians and military dictators continued fulfilling their ulterior motive (to grab power). The masses have been treated as if they were the enemy on the war front. One of the four military dictators was instrumental in Pakistan’s dismemberment and the third dictator gifted the country terrorism and introduced the culture of heroin and Kalashinkovs while the fourth dictator brought in drone attacks and Taliban suicide bombers but is still desirous of taking part in the elections.

At stake are 849 general seats in national and provincial assemblies, contested by candidates. The number of registered voters is 86,189,802, including 37,597,387, women. The later figure, although less than half that for male voters indicates that the number of women participating in the political process has kept pace with the growing population. And it is refreshing to know that women from the conservative tribal areas will be contesting alongside other women, including a former bonded laborer from Sindh. Since all campaigning must come to an end 48 hours before the vote, the contestants have three weeks in which to maximize their efforts. This way, this will be the shortest campaign period in Pakistan’s history.

Owing to the adventurism of such ‘saviours,’ democracy did not get a chance to flourish in the country. Once considered the strategic assets of Pakistan, the Taliban have now become a curse. The Jihadi elements have now restored to blackmailing the government …. by attacking teams administering anti polio drops to children and killing political leaders and their supporters. But the silence of Supreme Court is beyond.

Now the Pakistani nation have this question that will the candidates conform to the strict criterion laid down by the ECP? Will violence not linked to the terrorist threat obstruct electioneering? Will rules against providing transport for voters on polling day be flouted? It will be interesting to see how these problems are tackled by the ECP and the law enforcement authorities. There are of course limits beyond which the ECP and the law enforces cannot be fully effective. Ultimately, it is the candidates and their supporters who have to demonstrate restraint and make it a violence free and transparent exercise.

So this is the responsibility of interim government, law enforcement agencies, and the political parties that they make sure the safety of public and women at the time of voting. They feel full protection at the time of voting.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/category/40/