The political culture of Pakistan is so polluted and stooped so low that results of every election turn contentious. Losing candidates and their party never accept defeat in polls. Instead, levelling of charges of rigging and bogus voting has become a common practice not an exception. Yet again, result of the present by election in some constituencies has become contentious due to allegations, by the defeated candidates / parties, of undue interference and rigging. The best course in a true democracy is to accept defeat without any reservation, congratulate the winning candidate or his party. And the one who succeeds ought to consider himself a representative of whole constituency not a representative of his voters / party only.
However, the element of mismanagement and corrupt practices, use of police force and government machinery cannot be ruled out altogether. In this regard, the provinces are more in advantageous position to subvert electoral process because most of the polling staff is drawn from the provincial education and revenue departments, over which the election commission does not enjoy any control. In the instant case, massive police force and government machinery reported to have been used by Hamza Shehbaz during the election campaign. If true, there has been a violation of election rules and code of conduct proposed by the election commissioner. This serious matter needs to be probed by the election commissioner. Such action would reduce the chances of mudslinging and exchange of allegations by the contesting parties on the media.
RAJA SHAFAATULLAH
Islamabad
