Daily Times

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) is jubilant after the issuance of verdicts regarding elections in three constituencies that have been declared null and void by election tribunals (ETs). After the unseating of PML-N parliamentarians in NA-122, NA-154 and NA-125, re-elections have been ordered by the ETs on these three seats. PTI is terming this turn its victory as it claims that the party’s stance regarding overall rigging in the 2013 general elections has been vindicated, ignoring the fact that the elections have been found both by the Judicial Commission (JC) as well as the ETs to be flawed, not rigged through any systematic planning. After entering the arena of politics, PTI chief Imran Khan has failed to get rid of his stubborn attitude. So far, he is acting like a spoilt child unable to take sensible decisions in the interests of his party and the country. Exaggeration and the distortion of facts are the basic tools that the PTI employs to try and get its way. It was the PTI that took refuge in dharna (sit-in) politics that proved a futile exercise and wastage of time. Despite the fact that ground realities differ from the PTI’s claims, the latter is repeating the same mantra again and again that the elections were rigged systematically and the mandate of the PTI was stolen. The PTI has only 33 seats in the National Assembly and even if it wins in the upcoming three by-elections, it will not bring a big change in its status in parliament, provided of course that the PTI does win all three seats, of which there is no guarantee.

After PTI’s failure to prove its stance regarding systematic rigging before public opinion or the JC, now it has turned its guns towards the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). It has demanded the four provincial members of the ECP resign. However, the tone used by PTI is lamentable. The ECP has refused to furnish any explanation in response to the letter of PTI. The ECP has acknowledged that PTI has every right to send its grievances to the ECP but it cannot dictate its terms. PTI is contemplating now to move the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). Is the SJC a proper forum is debatable since the ECP members can only be removed in accordance with the Constitution and not at the whim of a political party. Morally though, the ECP members should voluntarily resign and depart with dignity. After the JC’s report that had made 40 observations regarding the anomalies and flaws during the conduct of the 2013 general elections, the ECP members had no moral ground to remain in office. The reputation of the ECP has become tainted and the upcoming local bodies elections in Punjab and Sindh, not to mention any future general elections held under the present ECP would be dogged by controversy now.*