Where technology has helped individuals, societies, and states all over the world to aid their work and get maximum benefit, it is such a pity that Pakistan and its institutions have not benefited from the use of technology to help it get free and fair elections. Instead, technology has further aggravated the problem during the elections. There is no difference between elections taking place a hundred years ago and now, if the use of technology does not end confusion and chaos of people.
The people in Pakistan are rightly fed up with the political cultures and politics of major political parties and politicians in the country. They will fight with each other and win elections by abusing their opponents and suddenly turn their rivalry into friendship to form a government and run the country collectively. Not only does it limit the options for people, but it also reduces the faith of people in the parties.
Despite almost every election being marred by allegations of rigging, no substantial effort has been made so far to reform the process. Hardly any losing candidate or party accepts their defeat. There is always a ray of hope that something can happen at any time because of discrepancies in the system. No one trusts the process. Even the voters are losing faith in the system and are skeptical about their votes. The following events of rigging allegations, protests, and sit-ins after elections are all regressive and hurt democratic values.
The absence of free and fair elections gives rise to power-ambitious attitudes and behaviors. Political parties and candidates instead of winning the voters’ confidence spend money and make strategies for better election management. The one who manages the elections well will win. Having said that, elections are not rigged everywhere. There may be free fair elections in many areas but the incidents of riggings in between make the whole process compromised and the overall perception negative.
The lack of commitment of political parties to electoral reforms can be witnessed from the fact that in the last 15 years after the restoration of democracy in the country, the three major political parties have ruled the country but the problem has not been resolved.
If the political parties can sit with each other to form a government, overthrow a government, or protest together for the same cause, they definitely can reform the process. But, for that, they will need to let go of their benefits.
The PTI government did show commitment to reforming the process by changing the voting method with the introduction of the EVMs. But, the opposition resisted. The PTI government introduced EVMs but without the approval of the opposition. Hence, the opposition nullified the PTI’s attempt when it came to power after overthrowing the PTI-led government.
Nothing substantial could be achieved and the recent general election is an example. There were many instances when both the PTI government and the opposition reached a consensus but on this particular issue, they could not sit together because they lacked a will.
The way political parties have used technology is appreciated. Almost all parties tried to attract the voters through different advertising methods and means by using technology. Similarly, at a time when the PTI candidates could not campaign freely, the use of technology helped them in their campaigns.
Everyone uses and benefits from technology. Individuals, societies, and states all use technology to accomplish their tasks and achieve their desired goals and outcomes. But, unfortunately, the use of technology by ECP has resulted in more harm than good.
Back in 2018, it was RTS that was blamed. Now, it is EMS. Why key institutions in Pakistan have not been able to use technology to help them and make their work smooth? Why has it created more ambiguity? The answer seems simple. It is a will that is missing. Even the simplest use of technology could be enough to ensure free and fair elections in Pakistan instead of heavy reliance on software and technology that is not worth it. But, the will is not there.
The institutions will keep on blaming each other. The politicians will keep on degrading each other and putting blame on each other But, they will not sit together and once and for all solve the issues and save upcoming generations from chaos. It is easier to blame each other for everything that happens in the country than doing something productive.
The next elections are five years apart. Keeping in view the current election results and the amount of ambiguity involved, political stability looks like a far cry. The rigging allegations and discrepancies in the election results will haunt the nation for the next five years and add to the instability.
Political stability can only be achieved through transparent elections. Nations progress when mandates are respected and when winning and losing candidates both accept the result wholeheartedly.
A winning candidate carries the responsibility of people’s trust while the losing candidate accepts that people have not chosen him and he needs to do something else to win back people’s trust. And, this can only happen when the elections are free and transparent and both candidates and voters trust the process.
Given the grave economic challenges and the amount of polarization and division in society, elections looked like a way out. But, the opportunity looks lost. The controversy surrounding the election results will further polarize and divide the society.
To sum it up, a way has to be found through which elections can be made free and fair. Keeping in mind the next general elections, the priority of a new government should be reforming the electoral process.
The shift towards EVMs could be a very lucrative option. For years, the current paper ballot system has failed to deliver results in Pakistan. The new government should work closely with the opposition to introduce EVMs in the next elections. The experiment of EVMs has been successful in our neighboring countries, it could be successful here as well.
Many voices rise whenever the question of the introduction of EVMs surfaces. Some argue that it will fail while others say that it is costly. It is better to fail with a new system in the process of developing it than failing again and again with the same old system and spending billions on it while going nowhere. But, for that to happen, a strong political will is needed at the top.
Transparent elections free from ambiguity are key to the success of democracy. It ensures stability. It gives confidence to voters and ensures a smooth transition of power. Therefore, all the political parties must sit down and reform the process.
