Daily Times

There is only one topic that seems to be of relevance in political circles and amongst parliamentarians these days: the issue of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) chairman’s removal and the many accusations of rigging in the May 2013 general elections that have been flying all over since. In a bid to quell the heightened tensions and many suspicions being cast by the opposition, which includes the PTI mostly, the PPP and the JI, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has proposed a joint sitting of parliament so that the air is cleared and a looming political deadlock resolved. This is a welcome move on the minister and the PML-N government’s part. Just how effective it will be depends on the collective political will to move past the allegations of fraud and rigging so as not to repeat the history of such allegations after past elections in the country’s history.

The bone of contention has been gnawed on most by the PTI, which has been harping on about electoral rigging in four constituencies out of which NA 118 — won by PML-N candidate Malik Riaz — is being scrutinised by an election tribunal, which asked for NADRA to verify the thumb impressions used in casting votes in this constituency. Just days after this request was made, the PML-N government sacked the NADRA chief, Tariq Malik. A mere few hours later he was reinstated by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) giving all those who wish to see mischief and conspiracy fodder for their accusations. The opposition is up in arms about how the sacking of the NADRA chief reeks of the truth of the rigging allegations, citing his willingness to re-verify the thumb impressions to ensure free and fair elections as the reason he was booted out. Chaudhry Nisar, on the other hand, blamed the decision to sack Mr Malik on his alleged insubordination. However, with the hornet’s nest of rumours and debates being stirred, it seems that the interior minister’s call for a joint session of parliament is timely. He has spoken of how it may be the agenda of some to depreciate the electoral process and hurt the cause of democracy, and just how important it is to clear the air.

The verification process can only proceed if magnetic ink had been used in all constituencies on election day. It appears there was a shortage or unavailability of the magnetic ink, which Chaudhry Nisar has stated was not the fault of the present government but the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the then caretaker government. If this is the case, to expect any sort of verification to take place is difficult. These are the issues that the minister wishes to thrash out with all the parties in parliament. It must be mentioned here that the May 2013 elections were probably the fairest and most well organised elections we have ever had; even international monitors have said as much. The fact of the matter is that the PTI spoke prematurely, loudly and irresponsibly in its election campaign of sweeping the polls but the ground realities proved different. The voter turnout was huge but the votes were cast more in the PML-N’s favour it seems. This has resulted in an embittered opposition PTI, which is just not ready to accept the reality. It is a very positive thing for the PML-N to speak openly with a nothing-to-hide attitude. It is hoped that this will result in an acceptable solution so that we can get past this stain on the democratic process. *