Dr. Umar Khan
5-6-13
Recounting and thumb impression audit for clarification of electoral doubts
The recently concluded elections are probably the most
controversial in the history of Pakistan including the notorious 1977 elections
which paved the way for Zia’s martial law. PTI started questioning fairness of
these elections and was soon joined by MQM, PPP, JUI, JI and even PML(N) in
certain seats. This development has seriously affected the standing of results
making all this exercise less credible. Luckily
NADRA came for rescue and offered to arrange a recount in the questionable
constituencies along with thumb impression audit for a little expense which
appellants can be made to pay. Nawaz Sharif and PML(N) being the biggest winner
have the most at stake and if clean as they claim, should have jumped at this
opportunity to come out as just winners and expose the bad losers. Election
commission can also improve its credibility and integrity through this exercise
as some appear to be questioning viciously. Surprisingly none of them is
interested in using technology to clear doubts hovering on these election
results.
I was surprised and flabbergasted as to why winners who are
victims of aspersions on these elections aren’t keen to come out clean and
expose the culprits or the naggers.
If recount of the polls with thumb impression audit is done
with the help of new technology either the winners of elections will come out
clean or in other case bogus polling will be exposed. These supposed
inconsistencies might not have affected the results. Once bogus polling is
exposed, then with the help of same NADRA we will be obliged to question the
persons whose thumb impressions were repeatedly used for bogus voting. The
presiding officers and other polling staff who let this happen will also be
needed for questioning. Naturally these officials can’t indulge in such dishonesty
without any coercion which might expose their high powered backers. These in
turn can ultimately expose the forces
behind this exercise.
Elections determine who assumes and exercises power, so
naturally many try to influence its outcome. State apparatus in Pakistan didn’t
want to lose their grip on power after partition and wasted 24 years before
holding the first general elections. Establishment tried to manipulate the
results of the first elections held in 1971 but did it very awkwardly failing
miserably. Ultimately establishment’s failure to accept the popular verdict in
1971 broke the country into two but the lust to influence election results
didn’t diminish.
After the sudden death of Gen Zia in 1988, establishment was
forced into a situation where its nemesis PPP led by BB appeared to be clearly
winning the elections. Establishment considered PPP as a security risk secretly
proclaimed stopping the PPP and BB from coming to power a matter of national
interest and worked hard to block their path. An unknown businessman from
Lahore who was working as CM Punjab, on the insistence of some Generals was
picked as BBs challenger and all resources were used to make him a political
leader of standing that could challenge the popularity of PPP and BB. All
facilities were made available to him including the deep connections of the establishment
with the media. Strange indecent slogans
were devised and even inter provincial feelings were aroused and used. PPPs
imminent clear majority was blocked.
All this might have been unfair but even more negative
elements were put into play. New ways of scientific election rigging were
devised by the disciplined agencies with the help of bogus voting lists and
taught to their protégés in politics. The political class associated with the establishment
was led by no other than Nawaz Sharif who turned out to be a good student and
learned all these unfair techniques well. Supreme Court judgment in Asghar
Khan’s case exposes this unholy nexus very clearly. No wonder in Punjab only
the old experienced horses won seats leaving the inexperienced shocked. Even
PTI only won the seats of oft criticized new entrant turncoats in Punjab.
What this resulted in was that we knew the winners before
elections quite accurately in the 90s. I still remember PPPs stalwart Aitzaz
Ahsan saying publicly on the stage in 1993 elections that those who ousted
Nawaz won’t let him back, so vote for me. The same trend continued in 2002
elections where Musharraf’s supporters were to win, and they did. 2008
elections might have been a bit of aberrancy due to BBs replacement with Zardari
but the trend continued.
Before the 2013 elections the decisions were apparently made
and their implementation was a forgone conclusion. Nawaz was openly meeting the
representatives of foreign powers of all types being treated as a dignitary,
while all surveys were predicting his return to power. Surveys and their effect
on election results at times appear like the chicken and egg scenario, not
knowing which came first, do the surveys influence the popularity or otherwise.
Local power brokers also show their worth in front of
international players by influencing the election results or may I say ensuring
victories for the desirable and defeat for the undesirable.
A quick look at the election results and much is cleared.
The COD and its backers must be delighted as it was followed religiously with
centre changing hands while Punjab staying with PML(N) and Sind with PPP. New
spoilers like PTI are effectively marginalized.
So we see that there appears to be a list of well entrenched
forces interested in keeping the current election mechanism where they can
influence the outcome. Unfortunately in this setup factors other than the
voters have final say in the outcome of elections.
Lack of trust on the electoral process caused by
questionable elections breeds apathy among the electorate with a feeling of
helplessness that nothing can change. The recent elections were different
because electorate got really charged up which has now converted to a feeling
of resignation with a hidden rage boiling down the surface waiting to rip open.
We must not let it happen. A disinterested public in a country facing massive
problems like Pakistan is not a good omen; let’s not hurt their belief in
democracy and rule of law.
Unfortunately due to all these discrepancies and allegations
our elections have attained the credibility not far from Iraqi or Afghan
elections. We certainly deserve better. After all we are not occupied.
Democracy should be felt and seen too. Ideally there should
be a recount with thumb verification of all the doubtful seats to clear all qualms.
However if all this isn’t possible then maybe electronic voting in future is
the answer. If third world countries like India and Philippines can use it so
effectively so can we. We can start by having electronic voting in bye
elections scheduled in the near future. After all we have ATMs in every nook
and corner distributing BISP payments to the poorest making us well placed to
convert to electronic voting. This way
we can effectively get rid of paper votes, boxes and the enormous staff which
creates confusion and doubt. Democracy is important for Pakistan and we must
strengthen it by all means possible and removal of doubts is one of them. Pakistanis have shown their trust in
democracy and it must be valued and not allowed to ruin. People disenchanted
with democracy can end up with worse options.
