Delay in LG polls

Doesn’t bode well for the government’s credibility

The country has come far democratically in the past decade or so, but it is no time to rest yet. The job isn’t done yet. Democracy isn’t just about holding elections; it is way more than that. One of democracy’s cardinal principles is its emphasis on local government system, without which the fruits of this unique political system cannot reach to the public at large. This very system, ironically, has always been at a disadvantage in civilian governments in Pakistan, though what the four dictators of the country did with LG system wasn’t of much value either.

The new government in Pakistan has been in power for around six months, but it still hasn’t been able to make any progress in holding LG polls, even though the Supreme Court has been vociferous about this. The elections had to be delayed due to one or the other reason. First it were the provinces who wanted to revert back to the old LG systems, then they were not ready to hold elections logistically, then came the SC order forcing them to go ahead with the process, and then the provinces showed their inability to hold elections in time, this time the Election Commission also jumping on the bandwagon. Now the Sindh government has officially asked to get the elections delayed because it is not ready yet, both logistically and manpower wise. The Punjab government has similar excuses while the government in KP appears to be undecided yet. Balochistan, with its volatile situation, is already not in a condition to hold these elections. In other words, no province wants to hold elections, at least till they have made all the preparations. While there are some who think that it is only a ploy by the respective governments to strengthen their positions and assess the situation, and be able to bend it if need be, there are serious concerns about whether these governments are really ready to take on the largest polling exercise in the country.

Meanwhile, the federal government, in what has become a trend with this new government, has yet to announce a permanent Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), without which the process cannot proceed further, at least on the paper. A caretaker CEC maybe a stopgap solution but it is like avoiding the issue instead of sorting it out. The N League government would do better if they appoint a permanent CEC and ask the provinces to announce a schedule for the LG polls.