THE conduct of credible elections is essential for the health of any democratic system. However, throughout our electoral history, holding timely — and free and fair polls — has always been an uphill struggle. Up until a few weeks ago, there were considerable doubts about whether elections would actually be held in February. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s timely interventions those worries have subsided.

Yet an equally important question has arisen about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. Post May 9, the PTI has claimed it is being erased as a political entity by the state, and there is sufficient evidence to support these plaints.

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Amongst the biggest blows the former ruling party suffered was the rejection by the ECP of the PTI’s intra-party polls, and the denial of the bat election symbol. This situation has been rectified for the time being as the Peshawar High Court suspended the ECP’s decision on Tuesday, effectively putting the bat back into the PTI’s hands. The order will remain in the field till Jan 9.

Legal observers say the ECP can either file an intra-court appeal, or petition the apex court to vacate the PHC verdict.

The judicial authorities should consider expediting the hearing of this case to dispel any remaining uncertainty regarding the PTI’s use of its election symbol. Of course, as this paper has consistently stated, the PTI and all other contenders need to be provided a level playing field in order to freely contest the general elections. Yet the PHC’s decision aside, the party still appears to be getting the rough end of the stick.

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For example, PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was manhandled and rearrested outside Adiala jail in an undisclosed case on Wednesday, despite securing bail in the cipher case. Meanwhile, the PTI has also moved a contempt petition in the SC citing alleged violation of the court’s Dec 22 order by the ECP, and seeking an end to the arrests and harassment of its workers and candidates.

In violation of the Constitution, various pillars of state, through their acts of omission and commission, have abetted the delay in holding polls. Further infringement of fundamental rights by manipulating the results of the elections even before the first vote is cast should not be allowed.

In decades past, the National Awami Party, PPP and the PML-N have all had obstacles placed in their way, and now it is the PTI’s turn to face the displeasure of the powers that be.

This subterfuge of the democratic process must cease, and all parties should be allowed to freely campaign for the polls. Moreover, the run-up to elections, as well as polling day, needs to be free of violence and intimidation.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2023