Election tactics
PTI, despite its internal problems and breakdowns, has not let go of the rigging charge related to the NA-122 by-election just yet. And it has worse fears for local body polls. It is not as if it does not have just cause. It has lost two workers recently to campaign confrontations gone out of control. The ball is now in PML-N’s court as the local government election finally goes ahead after a decade. Many among opposition parties doubt the party’s ability to keep a lid on politics of intimidation, which has more or less become a recurring feature of its outlook.
It is also about time PML-N does some serious soul-searching about its politics. The local body poll is important. But the next general election is not too far either. And, despite PTI’s constant complaints against the government, there is an element of truth in the charge that the ruling party leverages state security apparatus, especially the police, for political purposes. It’s most blatant example came during what became known as the Model Town incident, when police officers opened fire on unarmed PAT workers, killing 14. The kind of official investigation that followed, and usually follows PML-N violence, left a little to be desired, to say the least.
The tendency for violence is generally higher in local body elections. Personal and commercial rivalries at the grass root have been known to affect political campaigning. In the present political climate of bitterness, incidents of violence can lead to a quick paralysis inflicting the whole system. That is why all parties must go the extra mile to ensure there is no adventurism. The PML-N must also let go of the habit of relying on the police to do the party’s groundwork. With the army ready to lend a hand “when and where needed”, hopefully the poll will finish without any tragedy.
