THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

Throughout their history, the people of Pakistan have demonstrated their support for electoral politics and democratic representation, compelling even military governments to hold elections. Although it has been considerably amended by various ruling powers, the 1973 Constitution laid down a still workable legal framework for holding elections. A serious concern involves the participatory nature of elections which was badly damaged by the "tampering" of the Zia regime which restricted the right of non-Muslims to vote for general candidates and deprived non- Muslims from contesting general elections to the Provincial Assemblies. Democratic rights of representation were denied to the people living in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas till 1997.

An examination of the Election Commission, election procedures and other related legislation reveals the presence of many lacunae which compromise the democratic process. While discussion of the inefficiency, corruption and coercive practices involved in the conducting of previous elections indicates the need for much reform, the lack of public confidence in the administration of elections became apparent from the low percentage of polling in the February 1997 elections.