In a surprising turn of events, members of Pakistan's Senate have ignited a heated debate by passing a controversial resolution advocating for a delay in the upcoming general elections.
This unexpected move came just weeks before voters were set to head to the polls, raising questions about the potential impact on the democratic process in the country.
The session of the upper house of parliament was thinly-attended with only 14 senators out of a 100 in attendance. Out of these 14 members - 12 voted in favor and 2 voted against delaying the elections. Hence, some political analysts of Pakistan are calling this resolution a "joke".
The resolution is a non-binding one which means that the elections may not be postponed after all, but the move by the senators has been termed, by some, as a conspiracy against democracy.
Why Do Senators Want to Delay the Elections?
Independent Senator Dilawar Khan cited bad weather, and security concerns as reasons for delay.
In his speech, he stressed the constitutional right to vote and the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) duty to ensure inclusive and fair elections. But then he changed his stance and said that he was concerned about low voter turnout in colder regions during the winter months of January and February, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Dilawar also said that another reason for delaying the general elections is security threats to politicians and attacks on security forces. He said intelligence agencies have warned that militants could target election rallies in both the provinces.
It should be noted that in 2023 Pakistan saw an unprecedented rise in terrorist attacks across the country, with over 600 attacks carried out on military personnel and civilians.
Security officials guard a blocked road leading to a counter-terrorism center after security forces starting to clear the compound seized earlier by Pakistani Taliban (banned in Russia) militants in Bannu, a northern district in the Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022.
© AP Photo / Muhammad Hasib
Dilawar's concerns gained traction among certain members within the Senate, with proponents arguing that additional time is necessary to address these concerns adequately and ensure a fair and transparent election process.
Implications of Delaying the Elections
However, critics view this resolution as a strategic maneuver to manipulate the electoral landscape and potentially influence the outcome in favor of certain political interests. The timing of the proposal has added fuel to the fire, as skeptics question the motives behind disrupting the electoral schedule so close to the voting day.
"With the political climate already tense, the resolution risks undermining public trust in the democratic process. Pakistan has a history of closely contested elections, and any perception of interference or manipulation could lead to increased skepticism among voters," the officer said.
He further noted that the international community is closely watching these developments, and concerns have been raised about the implications for Pakistan's democratic reputation.
"A delayed election could be interpreted as a setback for the country's commitment to democratic principles, potentially affecting diplomatic relations and foreign investment," the officer stated.
Additionally, political parties are scrambling to adapt their strategies to the evolving situation. The uncertainty surrounding the election timeline adds an extra layer of complexity to campaign planning and voter outreach efforts.
Supporters of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of opposition parties, attend a rally outside the head office of Election Commission of Pakistan, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021.
© AP Photo / Anjum Naveed
Who Benefits From the Delay?
It is no secret that the political parties must navigate the delicate balance between addressing genuine concerns about the electoral process and safeguarding the democratic values that underpin Pakistan's political system.
PML-N Senator Afnanullah criticized the resolution, comparing current conditions to what prevailed in 2008 and 2013, when elections were held despite worse circumstances. He also questioned the motives behind the proposed delay, suggesting "financial benefits for some" as a factor.
Sputnik India also discussed the matter with unit head at Engro Corporation, political analyst Dr. Shahid who said that the Senate's call for delaying the elections is being backed by forces that don't want timely elections happening in Pakistan.
"Such unlawful things keep happening in Pakistan because the powerful few want absolute control. This time again it seems like the establishment is trying to delay the elections because almost all the political parties of Pakistan including Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) want elections to happen on time," the analyst said.
He explained that the PPP has always had a stronghold on the province of Sindh and they will most likely reign after winning elections, so it makes no sense for the PPP to try to delay the elections. Similarly, in Punjab PTI has a strong possibility of winning because PTI members are now able to stand in the elections. Earlier, the PTI candidate's nomination papers were being rejected, but the judicial courts overturned that rejection and now their nominations are being accepted.
"This resolution definitely has the backing of the army chief as just a few days ago when he was in the United States he said that if elections were delayed it would not be a big deal. However, the Chief Justice of Pakistan had said that February 8 is the final date for holding the general elections. Hence, now it remains to be seen what will the chief justice do about this resolution?" Dr. Shahid stated.
The analyst added that he wouldn't be surprised if the elections get postponed because over the past few months several things occurred against the court rulings, hence it is likely that the Supreme Court’s demand for timely elections might get ignored.
As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the controversial resolution will gain broader support or face opposition from those advocating for the timely conduct of the general elections.
The coming days will undoubtedly witness intense political maneuvering and public discourse as Pakistan grapples with the implications of a potential electoral delay.