CSS 2015 Solved Current Affairs Past Papers | Electoral Reforms in Pakistan
The following question of CSS Current Affairs 2015 is solved by Sir Ammar Hashmi, the best Current Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The question demands suggestions to improve the electoral system of Pakistan in context of the rigging in 1970. So, creating a context in one paragraph after introduction, we will move towards the suggestions giving all weightage to them. Since it is question from previous year paper, the answer is solved accordingly.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Overview of election rigging in Pakistan since 1970
3-Recommended electoral reforms in Pakistan
- ✓Establishing a truly independent election commission
- ✓Restructuring the process of candidate scrutiny
- ✓Providing equal opportunities and fair treatment to all political parties
- ✓Addressing security concerns
- ✓Eradication of electoral and political manipulation
- ✓Introducing technological reforms in Pakistan
- ✓Encouraging voter awareness and education
- ✓Improving Election Finances’ transparency
4-Conclusion
Answer to the question
Introduction
The allegations of election rigging and manipulation have undermined the credibility of Pakistan’s elections. However, the legitimacy of elections has been compromised since its first general elections in 1970 due to allegations of unfair tactics, such as ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and political meddling. Additionally, claims of manipulated results have been a perennial issue since the controversial elections of 1977, which were accused of rigging and ultimately led to the military takeover. Furthermore, in recent times, the elections of 2018 further deteriorated public confidence in the democratic process due to the controversy of rigged elections. Additionally, with no exception, the 2024 elections with charges against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and political meddling continue to dominate the discourse. However, comprehensive election reforms are desperately needed to ensure accountability, fairness, and transparency in order to rebuild trust in Pakistan’s democracy.
Overview of rigging elections in Pakistan since 1970
Elections have always been accused of rigging since its independence, which has ultimately challenged the legitimacy of Pakistan’s democracy. The general elections of 1970, considered free and fair, resulted in Pakistan’s disintegration due to the unfair transfer of power. Similarly, the general elections of 1977, with claims of vote-rigging in favor of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s PPP, erupted in riots and ultimately led to a military takeover by General Zia-ul-Haq. However, accusations of meddling and manipulation persisted, casting an overshadowed subsequent election. Subsequently, there were allegations that the military and intelligence services favoured the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) over the PPP during the elections of the 1990s decade. The 2002 elections under General Musharraf’s rule were widely criticised for favouring pro-military candidates. Nevertheless, the 2008 elections were hailed as a return to democracy, and allegations of ballot stuffing and voter terrorizing ruined them. Moreover, the 2013 election was primarily peaceful. Imran Khan’s PTI claimed the ruling party had rigged it, but an investigation revealed no solid proof. The 2018 elections were fiercely contested, and the accusations of election manipulation were strengthened when opposition parties, especially the PPP and PML-N, accused the military of tampering with the results to favour the PTI. This pattern has been maintained in the 2024 elections, where the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been accused of biasness, especially in treating candidates, particularly those from the PTI. Meanwhile, PTI leaders have voiced their concerns about unfair treatment, saying that candidate nominations were rejected and denied, providing party emblems were politically driven. However, the fundamental problems with Pakistan’s electoral process are political meddling, lack of transparency, and inadequate protections, which are reflected in these persistent accusations and continue to raise questions about the validity of the elections.
Recommendation for Electoral Reforms in Pakistan
There are various ways through which the state of Pakistan can comprehensively address the concerns of election rigging. Following are some of the recommendations that can be used in this regard.
- Establishing a truly independent election commission
First, the ECP’s reputation has been impaired by recent scandals, such as claims of impartial scrutinising of candidates and the reluctance to provide party emblems. However, a crucial need is strengthening the true independence of such a prestigious institution in Pakistan to ensure unbiased election supervision. Additionally, public trust can be won back by holding open communication between the ECP and the skateboarder regarding implementing transparent decision-making procedures and keeping impartial standards on all electoral issues. Furthermore, only people with uprightness and competence should be chosen for the election commission of Pakistan, and this can be done by making amendments to the appointment of election commissioners’ procedure to lessen political influence.
- Restructuring the process of candidate scrutiny
Second, the candidate scrutinising procedure has remained controversial amidst claims that nomination papers of certain political parties were unfairly rejected. However, the ECP must set uniform, transparent, and impartial standards for scrutinizing candidates to broadcast any impartial suspicions. Validating that these standards are fairly and consistently applied should be the primary goal of training programs for returning officers. However, appeal procedures for candidates whose nominations are denied should also be accelerated and made transparent to avoid needless delays in the election process and to avoid the rigging allegations both pre and post-election.
- Providing equal opportunities and fair treatment to all political parties
Third, fair treatment for all political parties should be the main goal of electoral reforms. Recent limitations, such as denying a common electoral symbol, emphasise the need for a more unprejudiced strategy. Furthermore, the ECP should review and standardise the rules pertaining to intra-party elections and party emblems to prevent any party from being disadvantaged, especially in a country where a large percentage of the populace lacks literacy, and party emblems are essential.
- Addressing security concerns
Forty, security is one of the crucial issues in the election days. Election officials, candidates, and voters all face serious security concerns, especially in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, improving security measures must be prioritized in electoral reforms, such as stricken security by assigning sufficient law enforcement officers to key voting places. Additionally, female candidates and voters, usually more vulnerable to security in conservative areas, should accommodate strict security. Moreover, a comprehensive security strategy should include federal, provincial, and municipal agencies to prevent and address threats, and it must ensure that voters can cast ballots without fear of violence or intimidation. Also, the security and sanctity of the ballot boxes should be ensured to eradicate rigging concerns.
- Eradication of electoral and political manipulation
Fifth, the electoral laws must be reinforced to stop non-political organisations from interfering. The judiciary must take the initiative to prevent such acts by handling accusations of election malpractice and holding offenders accountable. Additionally, there should be clear procedures for keeping an eye on and reporting instances of caretaker governments or security forces exerting disproportionate influence. Moreover, the necessity for substantial reforms is highlighted by previous cases of political manipulation, such as the meddling by security services and caretaker governments.
- Introducing technology reforms in elections
Sixth, the logistical issues have remained long-lasting in Pakistan’s elections. However, these logistical issues, such as delays in systematizing results and counting votes, should be addressed by technological reforms in elections. For instance, biometric verification systems and electronic voting machines (EVMs) should be introduced to ensure the reliability of the election results. Moreover, these technologies must be tested before implementation, public awareness campaigns and election officials’ training to ensure accessibility and efficiency and address the rigging concerns once and for all. To accomplish this, all the political stakeholders must join hands and make the necessary amendments to the laws.
- Encouraging voter awareness and education
For democratic elections to be successful, the electorate must be informed. The ECP ought to start national voter education initiatives to raise understanding of the voting procedure, the value of voting, and the consequences of electoral malpractice. However, special efforts should be made to reach marginalised communities, such as women, young people, and rural populations, to guarantee their full involvement in the democratic process. In this way, when people know the exact procedure and the value of their vote, they will be less prone to rigging.
- Improving election finances’ transparency
The lack of transparency in political funding, which ultimately leads to corruption and disproportionate influence in elections, should be addressed by necessary reforms. Additionally, the ECP should be strengthened to oversee procedures enforcing limitations on campaign spending and impose severe sanctions in case of any violation of rules. Moreover, political parties should also be obliged to periodically report their funding sources and expenses to encourage accountability and lessen the impact of illegal financing in elections. Alongside these reports, the ECP should conduct independent audits of political parties to check the credibility of their submitted reports.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s complex history of rigged elections indicates the underlying problems of the electoral system requiring instant and reliable reforms. Apparently, electoral manipulation in the 2024 elections obliges obstinacy of self-reliance, autonomous, and impartial Election Commission. Restoring public trust requires essential measures, such as ensuring transparency in scrutinizing candidates and guaranteeing unbiased opportunities for all political parties. Precisely, in the absence of such reforms, the democracy of Pakistan will likely be vulnerable to rigged elections, and its electoral process will continue to lack the legitimacy required for a peaceful and legal handover of power. However, Pakistan can regain public confidence in democratic processes by strengthening its electoral system and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future by practically enforcing these reforms.
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