Pakistan cast its ballot after an election campaign marred by allegations of vote fraud and intimidation, prompting US, UK, and EU concerns as well as banning of Imran Khan’s party by authorities.
Diaa Hadid of Deutsche Welle reports from the ground that voters appear unperturbed by threats and communication disruptions, and expects TV channels to make projections about early results within hours of polls closing.
Background
Sharif was a 71-year-old former businessman who rose to power and led his party for two non-consecutive terms without becoming Prime Minister, providing stability and economic growth during this period. However, by his final term Pakistan was suffering severe financial issues including spiraling inflation rates, foreign debt crises, and mounting corruption issues.
Security concerns and separatist violence continue to plague the country, while its army has long advocated for civilian control of economic and political matters. The election highlights this ongoing tug-of-war between military personnel and civilians regarding who will lead their nation.
The polls were widely criticized as they were marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging, with mobile phone services suspended on election day despite protests from armed groups; additionally, the delay in results release raised doubts about its integrity; nonetheless, three-term Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appears set to win, leading a fractured opposition that includes Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari son of assassinated ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to victory.
Results
Violence, the suspension of mobile phone services on polling day and significant delays in declaring results have all contributed to an uncertain outcome of these elections. Concerns of vote rigging and military influence over voting have further compounded uncertainty.
Nawaz Sharif conducted his campaign from self-imposed exile in Britain while serving a prison term for corruption charges, but claims his party still emerged as the single largest winner.
Although his criminal record may speak volumes, former cricket star Imran Khan still enjoys strong grassroots support. Throughout his three terms as prime minister he brought stability to Pakistan by reducing power outages and inflation; yet remains controversial as a figure with confrontational views of military leadership; only strict accountability of judges, bureaucrats, current army generals as well as those retiring will provide Pakistan a chance at breaking out of poverty and corruption cycle.
Analysis
Nawaz Sharif’s victory demonstrates he enjoys the support of Pakistan’s formidable military establishment; but, his victory does not equate to greater control by this group.
Concerns have been expressed over the ruling party’s election performance, the nation’s economic conditions, and allegations of vote rigging. In particular, the Election Commission has come under fire for its delayed release of results; additionally, mobile phone services being suspended during polling was seen as political meddling by some observers.
The PML-N will likely face competition from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari – son of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir. While it is expected that PPP would have strong representation in both chambers of parliament where majority rules apply, and in provincial assemblies where necessary seats would need to be secured, without which coalition with PML-N could become necessary to form government; their relationship has historically been quite powerful against establishment but would now likely be less significant in practice than before.
Conclusions
As Pakistan’s election drama reaches a crescendo, former PM Nawaz Sharif has appointed Shehbaz Sharif – his brother and a fellow former prime minister – to negotiate coalition talks with smaller parties and form a government coalition. NPR’s Diaa Hadid from Mumbai joins us on this episode of NPR News Hour to explain this latest development.
Elections in Pakistan have historically been used as tools by the military establishment, known as “the Establishment”, to elect their desired government. Sharif’s return comes after years of politics and an intense fight with The Establishment that led to him being disqualified from parliament in a corruption scandal.
Election 2018 in Pakistan has not been without controversy, including allegations of vote rigging in favour of military-backed parties and claims of irregularities by opposition candidates. The United States has requested an investigation of these claims. Whether or not Pakistan’s next government can fulfill their promises will have major ramifications on both economic stability and regional security.
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