The ongoing political situation across the country is in a state of crisis. The biggest issue of confrontation between political parties is holding the elections within the mandated 90 days.
Technically, the 90-day period has already passed. The election commission has already made it clear that it is not possible to complete the delimitation process before four months. The ECP is also working on the preparation of constituencies and electoral lists. Thus, the policy adopted by the PPP for holding elections within 90 days is not feasible.
It has also been mentioned that in the meeting of the Council of Common Interests, all political parties knew that if we approve and notify the census, it will be impossible to hold elections in 90 days. Other parties unanimously approved the census result and now propaganda has started in front of the people.
The PPP also knows they ended the 90 day mandate with their own hands. If the elections were to be held in 90 days, then 2017 census data could have been used. Regardless, people believe that whether the elections are held in 90 days or after a year, the country should continue its journey toward economic recovery. It is the duty of every functioning government to alleviate economic problems including inflation.
The bitter truth is that people are mired in financial problems in their lives and deeply worried about their children and family members. They are facing a regressive and archaic system in which their problems are not being resolved. There is starvation in homes and they need urgent emergency food. Pakistan is suffering from serious problems that require a revolutionary approach to solve the people’s problems.
As far as the elections are concerned in 90 days, each party needs to step in. The election commission’s job is to ensure timely elections. However, the new responsibilities given to the commission regarding the census also require adequate time to discharge their duties.
No one can deny that general elections are important for the success of the democratic process and people exercise their right to vote to bring their favourite leader to the National Assembly. The members of the assembly go ahead and elect a prime minister who has the most powers to run the country. They also elect the President who has the capacity to hold the Prime Minister accountable to some extent
Conducting general elections was delayed by the political parties and now the issue is being raised whether the polls within 90 days were discussed in the Council of Common Interests or not. There is a world of difference between what was discussed and what was signed. All the parties unanimously approved the fresh census and this is on record which cannot be denied. The ECP is issuing statements that they are responsible for constituencies, preparation of electoral lists, and other duties.
As the tenure of the caretaker government increases, the tolerance of the people will continue to reduce. There are already protests and electricity bills are being burned. The prices of petrol, food and other essentials are beyond the reach of every salaried person. The situation should not start taking the path of a revolution because people will not concerned about elections but the rope of life.
Conflicts between political parties may also increase tension. The caretaker government is apparently ready to hold the election in 90 days, but it seems almost impossible and the responsibility is once again being put on the shoulders of the election commission. The President also called the Chief Election Commissioner. The matter could not be resolved as CEC refused to meet which is no less than an insult to the office of the President and an unpleasant surprise for the people.
In fact, the Presidents of the past used Article 58 2B of the Constitution so frequently and so many National Assemblies were dissolved one after another and so prime ministers were removed from their posts that all the politicians, especially the party leaders aspire to become the prime minister, are concerned why the President should be given power to dissolve the Assembly before the term ends.
The members of the assembly enacted legislation and additional powers were taken from the president. Still, the President is the foremost post in terms of the constitution and is still considered the Supreme Commander of the Pakistan Army and no bill becomes law without the President’s signature.
