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 crucial for legislative endeavors. Strengthening the ECP and reevaluating the caretaker government concept are pivotal steps to ensure electoral integrity and foster democracy in Pakistan.
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
Despite being independent for over 75 years, Pakistan still struggles with an inefficient electoral system, as seen in the recent election day issues. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to transmit results on time, revealing long-standing problems. Comparisons with India’s effective election commission emphasize the trust deficit surrounding the ECP. Political parties’ alliances with manipulative entities contribute to this issue. The article calls for a significant overhaul of Pakistan’s poll system, an end to interference from powerful quarters, and empowerment of the ECP to conduct transparent elections without a caretaker set-up. This transformation requires comprehensive reforms supported by political parties, civil society, and the state.
SOLUTIONS of The Problem:
1. Overhaul of Pakistan’s Poll System:
Initiate a comprehensive overhaul of the existing poll system, addressing technological and procedural flaws to ensure efficiency and transparency.
2. End Interference from Powerful Quarters:
Take measures to eliminate interference from powerful entities, ensuring that elections remain free from manipulation and external influence.
3. Technological and Procedural Reforms:
Implement necessary technological and procedural reforms to prevent chaos during elections, focusing on the effective functioning of the Election Management System.
4. Empowerment of Election Commission:
Empower the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) with autonomy, resources, and technological infrastructure required to oversee elections independently.
5. Revisit Caretaker Government Concept:
Reevaluate the caretaker government concept, considering lessons from India, and explore models where the ECP can operate without the need for a caretaker set-up.
6. Commitment to Comprehensive Reforms:
Seek commitment from all political parties, civil society, and the state to actively participate in comprehensive reforms, turning it into a legislative endeavor.
7. Strengthening ECP:
Take pivotal steps to strengthen the ECP, enhancing its capacity, independence, and authority to ensure electoral integrity.
8. Neutrality of Caretaker Set-Up:
Ensure that the caretaker set-up remains neutral and focused on facilitating a fair election process, refraining from extending its mandate beyond its original scope.
9. Public Awareness and Education:
Enhance public awareness and education about the electoral process, promoting greater civic participation and understanding of democratic norms.
10. Transparent and Accountable Poll Process:
Transition from an archaic, manipulated system to a modern, transparent, and accountable poll process that reflects the will of the people and strengthens democratic foundations.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the Article:
- The recent election day exposed the ECP’s inability to transmit results on time due to a nationwide mobile phone network suspension.
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The 2018 elections were marred by the breakdown of the Result Transmission System, contributing to a severe erosion of public trust.
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India’s election commission serves as an example of a robust system that commands trust across the political spectrum, highlighting the trust deficit surrounding the ECP.
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Political parties’ alliances with entities inclined to manipulate poll outcomes exacerbate the trust deficit.
MCQs from the Article:
1. What issue was highlighted during the recent election in Pakistan?
A. Lack of voter turnout
B. Nationwide mobile phone network suspension
C. Breakdown of the Result Transmission System
D. Interference from powerful quarters
2. Which country’s election commission is presented as an example of a robust system in the article?
A. Pakistan
B. India
C. United States
D. Bangladesh
3. What is emphasized as non-negotiable in the article?
A. Political alliances with manipulative entities
B. Overhaul of Pakistan’s poll system and end to interference from powerful quarters
C. Technological and procedural chaos during elections
D. Trust deficit surrounding the ECP
4. What does the article suggest drawing lessons from India for?
A. Strengthening political alliances
B. Perpetuating interference from powerful quarters
C. Empowering the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)
D. Maintaining an archaic and manipulated poll system
5. What is crucial for legislative endeavors according to the article?
A. Lack of commitment from political parties
B. Comprehensive reforms supported by political parties, civil society, and the state
C. External interference in the electoral process
D. Continuing with the caretaker government concept
VOCABULARY:
- Debacle (noun) (سرکشی): A sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco.
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Inability (noun) (ناقابلیت): Lack of the ability to do something; incapability.
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Transmit (verb) (منتقل کرنا): Cause (something) to pass on from one place or person to another.
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Nationwide (adjective) (پورے ملک میں): Extending or occurring throughout a whole nation.
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Marred (verb) (خراب ہونا): Impair the quality or appearance of; spoil.
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Result Transmission System (noun) (نتیجہ انتقالی نظام): A system used to transmit election results swiftly and accurately.
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Eroded (verb) (ختم ہونا): Gradually destroy or be gradually destroyed.
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Scepticism (noun) (شک): A skeptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something.
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Eschew (verb) (پرہیز کرنا): Deliberately avoid using; abstain from.
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Incumbent Government (noun) (حالیہ حکومت): The current ruling government in office.
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Autonomy (noun) (خود مختاری): Freedom from external control or influence.
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Pivotal (adjective) (مؤثر): Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.
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Sanctity (noun) (پاکیزگی): The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly.
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Empowered (adjective) (مختار): Having the authority or power to do something.
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Culpable (adjective) (مجرم): Deserving blame or censure.
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Robbing of its Sanctity (phrase) (پاکیزگی سے محروم کرنا): The act of depriving something of its sacred or holy nature.
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Political Polarisation (noun) (سیاستی قطبیت): The divergence of political attitudes and ideas within a society.
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Dissent (noun) (اختلافِ رائے): The expression or holding of opinions at variance with those commonly or officially held.
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Legitimacy Concerns (noun) (شرعیت کے شبہات): Doubts or issues related to the legality or lawfulness of something.
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Comprehensive Reforms (noun) (جامع اصلاحات): Thorough and far-reaching changes or improvements.
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www.dawn.com
Archaic poll system
Editorial
DESPITE having surpassed 75 years of independence, Pakistan has yet to establish a fool-proof electoral system. The recent election day debacle, which exposed the ECP’s utter inability to transmit results on time due to a nationwide mobile phone network suspension, made evident inadequacies that have long plagued our poll infrastructure. The 2018 elections were similarly marred by the breakdown of the much-vaunted Result Transmission System. These recurring issues have severely eroded public trust. A look at our neighbour to the east, India, is example enough of a robust election commission, which commands trust across the political spectrum. This stands in stark contrast to the scepticism surrounding the ECP. This trust deficit is exacerbated by the reluctance of political parties to eschew alliances with entities inclined to manipulate poll outcomes. Once in parliament, these parties must prioritise the reinforcement of democratic norms and the ECP’s autonomy.
Two things are non-negotiable: an overhaul of Pakistan’s poll system and an end to interference from powerful quarters. The failure of the new Election Management System and the resultant chaos, with results still trickling in more than 24 hours after polling ended, necessitate technological and procedural reforms. Moreover, the caretaker set-up not only failed to ensure neutrality, but also extended its mandate beyond its original scope — from dabbling in privatising the national carrier to booting out ‘illegal’ immigrants — further muddying the waters. Drawing lessons from India, where the election commission operates with authority and independence even as the incumbent government continues with its limited powers, Pakistan could consider a model where the ECP is empowered to oversee elections without the need for a caretaker set-up. This would of course require a transformation of the ECP, equipping it with autonomy, resources and the technological infrastructure needed to conduct elections efficiently and transparently. It is imperative for all political parties, civil society and the state to commit to these comprehensive reforms, which will doubtless be a legislative endeavour. Strengthening the ECP and revisiting the caretaker government concept are pivotal steps towards ensuring that electoral integrity and democracy are allowed to take root and flourish in Pakistan. The time has come to transition from an archaic, manipulated system to a modern, transparent, and accountable poll process that reflects the will of the people and strengthens Pakistan’s democratic foundations.
Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2024
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