The narrative being peddled in Pakistan through social media and Whatsapp, is one, that the politicians are totally corrupt and the Army is the only institution worth supporting. And second, even if the army has been interfering, it is “no longer an Army with a ‘security mindset’,” as one long message being circulated puts it, but “truly a national army, which has come of age”. Along the way, it “has become the fourth pillar in our country with influence far beyond its mandate. Something not to relish and a sad reality”. According to this narrative, “a strong, democratic, well governed and corruption free Pakistan is a political death warrant for Nawaz and Zardari”. And since the army is there to stay and “if Imran wins, this will be the first time in Pakistan’s civilian history that we will have this strategic alignment between these key State institutions which matter”.
The satirical caption for this photo above is an example of the satire with which Pakistanis are countering the manipulations. Another satirical caption for this photograph is “Election Commission of Pakistan”. Wonder why many are taking such satire literally?
Sorry, but I’m not convinced. I believe that such a “strategic alignment” will backfire. Controlled democracy is not democracy. You can’t put the people’s democratic aspirations back in the bottle. If Imran Khan wins, it will be a win orchestrated by muzzling the media in an unprecedented way, threatening, killing and terrorising opponents, and mainstreaming hardliners along the India model as I wrote recently. And look what’s happening in India. A democratic, well governed, and corruption free Pakistan is a death warrant not just for the individual politicians named but also for the boots.
Below, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan‘s statement on the “blatant, aggressive and unabashed attempts to manipulate the outcome of the upcoming elections” . Note: Please also see this HRCP pre-poll monitoring form 2018 based on:
- Local news reports (print, radio and TV) about the area in which you live.
- Your own observations of the area in which you live (for example, candidates’ rallies, campaign banners, meetings with candidates).
- Reliable observations of the area from other people (preferably, with supporting evidence).
Please send your completed copy of this form and any other supporting evidence (for example, photographs) of pre-poll irregularities to:
- Email: elections.hrcp@gmail.com
- Mobile/WhatsApp: 0332 430 4656
- Fax: 042 3588 3582
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Filed under: democratic political process, Freedom of expression | Tagged: army, army interference in politics, Controlled democracy, Election monitoring, Elections 2018, HRCP, imran khan, Pakistan | Leave a comment »
Journeys to democracy 