Pakistan Holds Election Tainted by Rigging Claims
Pakistan votes yesterday in an election scarred by rising militant attacks, an economic crisis and a deeply polarised political environment, and many analysts believe no clear winner may emerge.
The main contests are expected to be between candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the last national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, who is considered the front runner.
Mr Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old son of former premier Benazir Bhutto, has also run an aggressive campaign in an outside bid for the top office.
What analysts say
Analysts say Pakistan’s powerful generals could play a role. Pakistan’s military has dominated the nuclear-armed country either directly or indirectly in its 76 years of independence but for several years, it has maintained it does not interfere in politics.
“The deciding factor is which side the powerful military and its security agencies are on,” said Mr Abbas Nasir, a columnist. “Only a huge turnout in favour of PTI can change its fortunes.”
Khan believes the military is behind a crackdown to hound his party out of existence, while analysts and opponents say Sharif is being backed by the generals.
The two former prime ministers have switched places since the last election in 2018: Khan was believed to be backed by the military then and Sharif was in jail on corruption charges.
“Historically, engineered electoral exercises have not produced stability,” Mr Nasir said.
“The economic challenges are so serious, grave, and the solutions so very painful that I am unsure how anyone who comes to power will steady the ship,” he added.
If the election does not result in a clear majority for anyone, as analysts are predicting, tackling multiple challenges will be tricky – foremost being seeking a new bailout programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the current one expires in March. Unofficial first results are expected a few hours after voting closes at 5pm local time (8pm Singapore time) and a clear picture is likely to emerge early today.