As dark clouds still loom over the upcoming national elections in Pakistan, scheduled for February 8, 2024, the prospect of a delayed polling process threatens to deliver a final blow to the already deteriorating political system in the country. Elections stand as the sole mechanism through which a government, elected by the populace, can ascend to power. Despite the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) pressuring the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the election schedule, a process the ECP initially hesitated to expedite, the possibility of a significant delay persists.

Following the announcement of the election schedule and the submission of nomination papers by candidates for the National and Provincial Assemblies, a new challenge emerged. Law enforcement agencies allegedly obstructed candidates from the widely popular Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, preventing them from filing nomination papers. Media reports from across Pakistan indicated instances where PTI candidates’ nomination papers have either been confiscated or they have faced impediments to the filing process, including arrests.

Concurrently, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and other representative bodies of lawyers are calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, advocating for his replacement. This development is noteworthy, considering that the SCBA is currently led by lawyers associated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Previously, it was the PTI that had been consistently demanding CEC Raja’s resignation. The sudden alignment of the PML-N with this demand raises questions about the reasons behind this shift.

The surprising turn of events is compounded by the well-documented bias of CEC Raja in favor of the PML-N and against the PTI, a bias acknowledged by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on multiple occasions. The court has pointed out CEC Raja’s failure to fulfill his constitutional mandate, specifically in the delay of announcing the date of national elections and in preventing President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, from doing so.

The underlying reality is that parties such as PML-N, Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), and other members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which collectively governed from April 2022 to August 2023, are currently unpopular among the masses. Recognizing their diminished electoral prospects, they appear inclined to avoid the upcoming national elections. Despite the SCP’s intervention leading to the ECP announcing the election schedule, PDM parties express a desire for further delays. Unable to secure assistance from the CEC in this matter, they indirectly demand his resignation.

Recently, all political parties have united in seeking an extension in the deadline for filing nomination papers. These developments collectively suggest a growing likelihood that the elections may not be held as scheduled.

Simultaneously, significant gatherings of leaders from the Baloch ethnic group, including a substantial number of women, are voicing their demand for the recovery of hundreds of ‘missing’ persons in Islamabad. This dynamic adds another layer to the already challenging political situation in the country. If elections proceed, as mandated constitutionally and must be held on time, they risk being marred by serious doubts regarding their constitutionality, fairness, and transparency—qualities mandated by the state constitution of Pakistan for an independent, fair, and transparent electoral process.

It is increasingly evident that the upcoming national elections may not usher in political, economic, and social stability for the country. Despite numerous unconstitutional measures taken by state institutions, the potential for benefit to the state and society hinges on providing equal opportunities to all political parties and independent candidates. This inclusivity is crucial for the emergence of a genuinely national leadership capable of addressing immediate challenges and instigating a comprehensive overhaul of the state structure, an imperative task at this juncture.

In the event of any pretextual delay in elections, it would prove disastrous for both the state and society. This is true even when considering the inherent controversy surrounding elections due to preceding and anticipated unconstitutional and illegal practices. Nonetheless, independent, fair, and free elections remain the viable path forward for extricating the country from its current political, economic, and moral challenges. A delay in elections would only exacerbate political polarization, leading to social chaos. Whether citing terrorism, lawlessness, or the popularity of an ‘undesirable’ party or leader as reasons for postponing national elections, it is crucial to recognize that elections and the resulting emergence of true national leadership serve as a remedy for such problems. If a leader or party enjoys popularity today, elections provide the most fitting means to gauge and validate this popularity, along with their capacity for effective governance.

In the short term, free, fair, and transparent elections are indispensable for addressing the immediate political, governance, economic, and social issues facing the state and society. However, in light of the multifaceted, profound, and complex issues in Pakistan, the existing parliamentary political system appears inadequate. The events of the last two years have exposed not only the system’s viability but also its corruptibility, decadence, and overall incorrigibility. A political system founded on the appeasement of a few and the exploitation of the masses cannot serve as a remedy for the state and society’s ills. Instead of fostering political and economic growth, the current parliamentary political system has stunted progress in the country.

The colossal issues confronting Pakistan today are, to a large extent, attributed to the political system devised by the forebears of the current political elite. This design primarily served their vested personal and political interests rather than the national or public interest. The time has come to replace this system with one that aligns with the people’s interests. In this regard, the upcoming elections, if conducted fairly on polling days, could mark the initial steps towards dismantling the existing non-performing and decadent political system.