SUMMARY of the Article “Archaic poll system,” Dawn Editorial, February 10th, 2024

Despite celebrating over 75 years of independence, Pakistan struggles with an ineffective electoral system. The recent election highlighted the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) failure to transmit results on time, exposing long-standing flaws in the country’s poll infrastructure. Public trust in the ECP has eroded due to recurrent issues like the breakdown of the Result Transmission System during the 2018 elections. Comparisons with India’s robust election commission, which enjoys trust across the political spectrum, emphasize the trust deficit surrounding the ECP. Political parties’ alliances with entities that manipulate poll outcomes contribute to this deficit. To address this, a fundamental overhaul of Pakistan’s poll system and an end to interference from powerful quarters are deemed essential. The recent chaos during the elections, coupled with the caretaker set-up’s failure to ensure neutrality, highlights the need for technological and procedural reforms. Drawing lessons from India, Pakistan could empower the ECP to oversee elections without a caretaker set-up, transforming it with autonomy, resources, and necessary technological infrastructure. Comprehensive reforms, supported by political parties, civil society, and the state, are » Read More…