June 02 shall be remembered as a bright day in Pakistan’s electoral history when Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) proved it can exercise the powers bestowed upon by the constitution. Result of PK-95 bye-election was declared nullified and re-election has been ordered by ECP. Reason: around 53,000 women voters were denied of their rights to cast votes in an election. All this happened under unofficial agreements among contesting parties and by local jirgas. May 07 election was won by JI candidate, Siraj-ul-Haq, JI Amir, who earlier vacated this seat to become a senator justified non-participation of women as they have other chores (such as cooking and washing) to attend at homes. JI Amir’s justification needs not be further commented upon as it’s degrading women as bonded labours.
But the ball shall not stop at this May 07 bye-election. We need to go back to 2013 General Elections wherein Siraj-ul-Haq won this seat by using same tactics — zero participation of women. At that time he came up with a far more interesting justification that suicide bombers might attack disguised as women in burqas. One may see this as JI’s links with some suspicious insiders.
It’s high time for ECP to deliver complete justice, not to be pressurised if someone is Amir of a religious party. May 11, 2013, election of PK-95 shall also be declared nullified; we know that may result in de-seating of Siraj-ul-Haq from Senate. So what? Can’t have two systems in the country — one for an ordinary man, other for the influential?
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
