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Pakistan's Elections Open Thread: Free and Fair? |
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With several sources putting the opposition in the lead in early stages of counting, and several international observers applauding the efficiency and impartiality of today's elections, it looks as if Pakistan's much-anticipated general election has gone off without as much chaos as we anticipated. Were the elections today really "free and fair," as those in observance assert? Or must we read between the lines (votes) to find the hidden story of Pakistan's election day? What does low voter turn out mean for the nation's future? And is an opposition victory another play in Musharraf's game?
That Pakistan's elections went off with only nine deaths today does not mean Pakistan and its political leaders should be praised, though. As Senator Joseph Biden said on NPR this morning, despite the relative calm, Pakistan's elections were not free from chicanery today. In a country that caters to illiterate voters by including party symbols on the ballots, some of today's ballots replaced the roaring lion of former PM Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) with a timid pussy cat, for example. (Note: Some U.S. sources site Sharif's symbol as a tiger; I believe they are in error.)
Pre-election violence and the threat of violence seem to have contributed to today's low voter turn out, and voting behavior has been manipulated in other way as well. Limitations on the media prior to the election undoubtedly hampered the democratic process and prevented politicians and their parties from effectively mounting a national campaign against Musharraf. With party politics alive and well in Pakistan, it seems unlikely such an attempt would've been successful but without free media, how do we know? In some cases, the government employed less peaceful means of suppression. (And the extent to which such tactics were employed may never be know.)
For now, though, it looks as though the opposition have dealt a severe blow to Musharraf's party (as well as to the Bush administration who strongly supported Musharraf's rule?) and as if Pakistan may well be on its way toward the restoration of civilian rule. Unfortunately, with Musharraf (backed by the army, for now) at the helm and an unruly opposition infested Parliament in play, the road to democracy remains riven with potholes and possible set-backs. While the PLM(N) may see their (predicted) victory as a cause for celebration, observers from the West should not be so eager to rest on their morals of democracy. America, in particular must re-assess its relationship with Pakistan and redirect its military relationship with the nation's unpopular militaristic president toward the people who might otherwise be inclined to side with America.
Now that Musharraf has seemingly allowed the polls to play out, it's time for America to reassess. But that reassessment could take many forms.
There's plenty of information to process and I have several questions to ask, but this is an Open Thread. What are your thoughts on today's election results? Looking forward, looking back, did the elections live up to your expectations? How will Musharraf proceed in the face of an elected opposition? And what should the U.S. do now that the results have started to come in?
All this makes me think back to things I've read in the past, by you I believe, talking about democracy. It's more than just voting. Certainly a less violent election today is a good thing. But Pakistan needs strong leaders, strong parties, strong judiciaries, and a strong private sector too to keep democracy going. A more independent media couldn't hurt either.
You know, now that you phrase it in those terms, I think you've summarized what I was trying to say without knowing that's what I was trying to say.
Right. Voting is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for democracy. There are plenty of countries in which "elections" are held but we wouldn't necessarily call them "open democracies".
With yesterday's voting, Musharraf allowed one of the necessary conditions for returning to democracy to be met. Now there are several more — restoring the judiciary, opening the media, etc. — that must be met before America can interact with Musharraf on equal terms — i.e., democracy to democracy.
I have to say, I'm kind of waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. For all intents and purposes, it appears as if the post-election transition may occur smoothly.
The PPP have offered to form a coalition with Sharif's PML-N? That seems unbelievable! It's a smart move, but it's not the type of political move I thought the PPP would be capable of making…
And the media are asking whether Musharraf's days are numbered! Who would've thought after all the hoopla he went through to stay in power that he would actually put himself in a vulnerable position?!? (If in fact he actually has…)
As much as I hate to admit I'm wrong, being wrong in this case might be good…and yet, any day now, that other shoe could drop. (The Constitution has been amended in Musharraf's favor; the Judiciary is stacked with his supporters; there's still plenty of bad mixed in with what appears to be good.)
What will happen next?
Oh…one more thing…the BBC seem to have couched Pakistan's election results in the language of America's presidential campaigns…they write:
"Because Pakistanis have voted fairly clearly for change."
A bit of recycled (or re-contextualized) rhetoric, but not necessarily the wrong sentiment. The whole world could use a bit of change, it seems.