Author: Hussan Haqqani
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: October 2, 2002
International observers must see
Pakistan's October 10 general elections for what they are: a farce in the
name of democracy going according to a preordained script.
General Peivez Musharraf wants international
observers monitoring the October 10 parliamentary elections to avoid making
comments about the political environment in Pakistan. His remarks, and
those of his henchmen, are aimed at intimidating the election observers.
General Musharraf leant a lesson about election irregularities during last
April's farcical presidential referendum. Then, the stuffing of ballot
boxes in full view of foreign journalists exposed the regime's contempt
for democracy. For parliamentary elections, the government's strategy has
been to rig the political environment and avoid, to the best extent possible,
blatant irregularities on polling day.
Ironically, criticism of the election
observers comes from the same regime that has never denied the "right of
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank officials to comment
extensively on all aspects of Pakistani life. Since Pakistan s first military
regime took over in 1958, the military establishment has looked upon engagement
with the international community only as a means of securing money. IMF
and World Bank conditions are not frowned upon because they are linked
to the now of hard cash. Bui when someone points out the deficiencies in
the Pakistani establishment's desire to control the political system, they
are told (in General Musharraf s words) that they see Pakistani political
culture from the eyes of the British system".
The truth is. there is something
wrong with the argument that US dollars and British-made weapon Pakistan
buy but western democratic principles do not. Democracy is no longer just
a western ideal. It has taken root all over the world. And while democracy
has several forms one thing is certain. It can be many things but not military
rule by other means. Political systems evolve through consistent adherence
to constitutional principles, not from the General Headquarters.
When Pakistan's first general election
was held in 1970, more than 63% to registered voters exercised their franchise
because they expected to change their lives by electing future rulers.
Even in the flawed election of 1977, voter turnout stood at 55 %. But the
controversy over that election, and the subsequent military takeover, has
caused the public to lose faith in the electoral process. During the 1997
election only 35 %. of registered voters exercised their franchise. It's
estimated that at least 6 million of eligible voters were not registered.
The October 11 election is also
expected to suffer from a low voter turnout. Low turnout reflects a feeling
on the part of the electorate that its vote simply does not matter. In
1971, General Yadya refused to transfer power to the elected representatives
and he may not have handed over to Zulfikar Ali Bhutio even a year later
had it not been for the humiliating military defeat in 1971. The only definite
outcome of the 1977 election was 11 years of dictator ship under General
Zia. Between 1988 and 1999 governments were dismissed with alarming regularity.
Once this partially manipulate political process had been completely discredited,
Mushar
Raf assumed power directly on behalf
of the military. When since I '>5X, one may ask, has the political process
been allowed to take its own course?
Pakistan's military brass sees itself
as the country's redeemer and whoever commands the military is presented
as the nation's savior. Since Ayub's days. Pakistanis are taught a distorted
version of history that glosses over the manipulations of the establishment.
Even these days, reading the government's version of events would make
one think that Pakistan's political history began only with the 1988 election
anil the ensuing political musical chairs between Behazir Bhutto and Nawaz
Sharif. But Pakistan's political problems started much earlier. General
Musharrafs apologists may not want to face it but The fact remains that
Pakistan is the only major country in South Asia where power has never
been transferred as a result of democratic elections.
The October 10 election will no!
change anything unless the international community rejects'. this manipulated
process of politics and Pakistanis themselves persuade their military to
accept the reality of polities. The European Union and Commonwealth election
observers should point out that Musharrafs regime drowns its legitimacy
from a Supreme Court ruling that was obtained only after the court was
reconstituted and potential dissenting judges removed from the bench. They
should acknowledge that the referendum was in absolute farce.
They should also note that the government
has propped up a King's party and created undue difficulties for the country's
major political parties ahead of parliamentary elections. And they should
not hesitate to point out trial General Musharrafs definition of democracy
is not democracy, as the rest of the world knows it.
Musharraf says Pakistan is a difficult
country to govern. He should he told that this is because it is run by
the law of rulers, instead of under the rule of law.
