Pakistani general election, 2008

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‹ 2002 Flag of Pakistan
Pakistani general election, 2008
All 336 seats to the National Assembly
February 18, 2008
Government Opposition
Leader Yousaf Raza Gillani Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi
Party PPP PML (Q)
Leader's seat Multan-IV Attock-II
Last election 81 seats, 25.8% 126 seats, 25.7%
Seats won 121 54
Seat change +40 -72
Popular vote 10,606,486 7,989,817
Percentage 30.6% 23.0%
Pakistan

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A general election was held in Pakistan on February 18, 2008, after being postponed from 8 January 2008, the original date to elect members of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the lower house of the Majlis-e-Shoora (the nation's parliament).[1][2] Pakistan's two main opposition parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML (N)) won the majority of seats in the election, although the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML (Q)) actually was second in the popular vote. The PPP and PML (N) are expected to form the new government.

On 3 November 2007, President and then-Chief of the Army Staff Pervez Musharraf called a state of emergency. Elections were initially postponed indefinitely; [3] however, it was later stated they would be held as planned. [4] On 8 November 2007 Musharraf announced that the election would be held by 15 February 2008. [5], later calling for the election date to be on or before 9 January 2008. [6] Even later, he suggested 8 January 2008 as the election date. [7] Following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the Election Commission announced after a meeting in Islamabad that a January 8 vote was no longer possible and the election would take place on 18 February.[8]

Following the election, Musharraf acknowledged that the process had been free and fair. He conceded the defeat of the PML (Q) and pledged to work with the new Parliament. [9]

By-elections for 40 seats (eight national, 32 provincial) will be held on 26 June 2008;[10] they are likely to be contested, among others, by Nawaz Sharif (who has since stated he has withdrawn, but then appeared to be contesting the election nonetheless;[11] his brother Shehbaz Sharif will also run in the by-elections)[12] and Asif Ali Zardari.[13][14] The by-elections had originally planned for 3 June 2008, then postponed to 18 June 2008; a further planned postponement to 18 August 2008 due to security reasons met with large-scale opposition, leading to the currently planned date of 26 June 2008.[15][16] PPP announced it would not run in the by-elections which prominent leaders of the PML-N would contest.[17]

Contents

[edit] Issues

[edit] Code of conduct

A code of conduct for the election has been proposed by the Citizens' Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) to the Election Commission of Pakistan and the political parties. This suggests that all stakeholders should agree on a set of rules as early as possible, in order to provide a level playing field for a fair general election. [18]

[edit] Terrorism

There have been concerns from the United States that Pakistan has not been doing enough to assist in their war on terrorism. Musharraf has rejected such claims, stating "The fight against terrorism and extremism, whether it is al-Qaeda or Taliban, can never succeed without Pakistan’s cooperation and Pakistan is the only country that has delivered the maximum on both. We are tackling them with 30,000 troops. If there is anybody who is not doing enough, it is others who are not doing enough."[2] Opposition parties, especially the religious Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal coalition, are opposed to Pakistan's role as ally of the United States in the War on Terrorism.[19]A car bomb killed 40 people and wounded 90 February 16, 2008 in northern Pakistan when it exploded in front of an election office of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party.[20]

[edit] Fairness of elections

A number of opposition parties have called for the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf to ensure free and fair elections under a caretaker government.[21] On 8 July 2007, opposition parties issued a declaration of their demands for the elections.[21] The parties included are the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N), and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal. Regarding the election, the declaration had the following clauses:[21]

“
  • The formation of a caretaker government of national consensus, in consultation with the opposition parties to hold free, fair and honest elections. Its members will not contest the elections.
  • The appointment of a neutral Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission in consultation with the opposition parties.
  • The dissolution of local governments three months prior to the holding of the general elections.
  • The caretaker government of national consensus shall appoint officers with no political affiliation in Election Commission, federal, provincial and district governments.
  • Repeal of all discriminatory election laws, to ensure even playing fields and the implementation of fair election proposals.
  • Implementation of the jointly agreed criteria for holding of fair and free elections.
  • To keep under review the steps being taken to ensure free, fair and honest elections and to collectively through consensus take any decision which may include a boycott of elections in the extreme case at the appropriate time.
  • To firmly resist collectively the machinations of the regime to postpone the general elections by imposing emergency or under any other pretext.
  • To struggle collectively for the removal of dictatorship from Pakistan and confine the role of the armed forces to that prescribed in the Constitution of 1973. It demands immediate withdrawal of military personal from all civilian departments and posts. It demands closure of the political cells of all the military, security and intelligence agencies.
 ”

[edit] Parties

Thirty-two parties opposed to Musharraf have joined together in a loose political alliance called All Parties Democratic Movement; the PPP, the largest opposition party, is not a part of this alliance.

As Musharraf had stated that the elections would be held under the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency, at least three parties stated they will boycott such elections, fearing that they would not be free and fair: the PML (N), Jamaat-e-Islami and Tehreek-i-Insaaf. [22]

The opposition parties jointly stated that the elections could not be fair, as most opposition candidates were in jail under the state of emergency and thus unable to file nomination papers for the election. [23]

On 23 November 2007, PPP members were given the go-ahead to register for the elections, while still reserving the decision to boycott the election. [24]

Imran Khan, the Tehreek-i-Insaaf leader, restated his call for a boycott on 23 November 2007, the day the APDM was to decide on whether to boycott the elections jointly. [25]

Upon his return to Pakistan on 26 November 2007, Nawaz Sharif stated he would run in the elections only if the state of emergency was lifted before the polls, [26] and that he would not serve as Prime Minister under Musharraf. [27] However, Sharif's candidacy was rejected on 3 December due to his prior criminal conviction. [28]

On 10 December 2007, Sharif and Bhutto finally announced they would not boycott the election, despite their fears that the election would be neither free nor fair. [29]

In a poll from the International Republican Institute conducted from January 19 to January 29, the PPP led with 50% (in November 30%), followed by Sharif's PML-N with 22% (25%) and Musharraf's PML-Q with 14% (23%). Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) had 1% (4%) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) 1% (2%). [30]In the first three counts to finish, the opposition did well: The provincial assembly seat in Baluchistan went to the PPP -- the party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto -- while two independent candidates won seats from the northern tribal areas. [31] Unofficial returns February 19, 2008 showed huge wins for the opposition parties of former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and the slain Benazir Bhutto, one day after a pivotal vote that could threaten Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's political viability. [32] Pakistan's two main opposition parties, the PPP and the PML (N) announced February 21, 2008 they would form a new government together after their victory over President Pervez Musharraf's allies in elections the week of February 18, 2008.[33]Shortly after making their coalition official, Pakistan's main opposition parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N), on March 9, 2008 called on President Pervez Musharraf to immediately convene parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora).[34]

[edit] Bhutto assassination

Main article: Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

The 2008 Pakistani election was dealt a great shock on 27 December 2007 when Benazir Bhutto was assassinated while leaving a rally in Rawalpindi. Bhutto's assassination raised many questions as to whether the general election would be postponed. Following the fatal attack, Pervez Musharraf held an emergency meeting with other government officials, but stated that "no decision had been made on whether to delay the national elections."[35]

Bhutto had "become an appealing solution" to United States officials frustrated with President Musharraf's failure to restore democracy to Pakistan, The New York Times said.

Sharif stated after the assassination that his party would boycott the election. [36] He later stated that his party would take part if Bhutto's PPP contests the election. [37] The PPP then decided to name Bhutto's son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the new party leader with his father Asif Ali Zardari as co-leader, as asked for in Benazir Bhutto's testament. The party also decided that it would contest the elections and stated that the elections should be held as planned.

The Pakistani Election Commission announced after a meeting in Islamabad that a 8 January vote was no longer possible and the election would take place on 18 February.[38]

[edit] Pre-election violence

Main article: Terrorism in Pakistan, 2008

In the weeks preceding the election, there were several attacks targeting politicians and political rallies. On February 9, a suicide car bomb killed 27 and injured 37 attending a political rally for the Awami National Party in Charsadda. [39] On February 16, another suicide car bomb killed 37 and injured 93 outside the residence of PPP candidate Riaz Shah in Parachinar.[40] The same day, a suicide attack on an army outpost in Swat Valley killed two civilians and injured eight people.[40] A polling location in Bajaur was destroyed by militants earlier.[40]

[edit] Results

Anti-Musharraf parties PPP and PML(N) have emerged as victorious from the unofficial results. Pakistan Muslim League (Q), the party supporting Pervez Musharraf has been clearly defeated and all its main leaders including 22 former federal ministers which constitutes a bulk of the previous federal cabinet have faced crushing defeat. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain (Party President/Former Prime Minister), Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi (Former Chief Minister Punjab) (lost 2 out of 3 seats), Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (Former Railways Minister), Dr. Sher Afgan Niazi (Former Minister for Parliamentary Affairs), Wasi Zafar (Former Law Minister), Humayun Akhtar Khan (Former Commerce Minister), Chaudhry Amir Hussain (Former Speaker National Assembly), Rao Sikandar Iqbal (Former Defense Minister), Hamid Nasir Chattha (former Federal Minister), Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri (Former Foreign Minister), Daniyal Aziz (Chairman NRB), Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar (Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs), Awais Leghari (Former IT Minister), Nasarullah Dareshak, Chaudhry Moonis Elahi (lost 1 out of 2 seats), Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain (Former Minister for Population Welfare), Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq (Former Minister for Religious Affairs), Liaquat Ali Jatoi (Former Minister for Water and Power), Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind (Former Minister for States and Frontier Regions), Naurez Shakoor (Former Minister for Science and Technology), Ishaq Khakwani (Former State Minister for IT), Sikandar Hayat Bosan (Former Minister for Food and Agriculture), Ghulam Sarwar Khan (Former Minister for Labour and Manpower) to include the few, have lost their seats. [41]

On February 21, it was announced that the PPP and the PML (N) would form a coalition government. [42] The coalition would also include the Awami National Party.

The electoral commission released final results on March 6 for all but 11 seats. These results showed the PPP with 120 seats and the PML(N) with 90 seats.[43]

[edit] National Assembly

Parties Votes % Elected seats Reserved seats (Women) Reserved seats (Minorities) Total
Pakistan Peoples Party 10,606,486 30.6% 94 23 4 121
Pakistan Muslim League (N) 6,781,445 19.6% 71 17 3 91
Pakistan Muslim League (Q) 7,989,817 23.0% 42 10 2 54
Muttahida Qaumi Movement 2,507,813 7.4% 19 5 1 25
Awami National Party 700,479 2.0% 10 3 0 13
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan

Note: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan and Jamiat Ahle Hadith did not participate.

 772,798 2.2% 5 1 0 6
Pakistan Muslim League (F) 4 1 0 5
Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) 140,707 0.4% 1 0 0 1
National Peoples Party 1 0 0 1
Balochistan National Party (Awami) 1 0 0 1
Independents 18 0 0 18
Total 34,665,978 100% 266 60 10 336
Source: Election Commission of Pakistan, Adam Carr's Electoral Archive

The Election Commission allocates the 60 seats reserved for women and the 10 seats reserved for religious minorities among the various parties in proportion to the number of general seats each party won (province by province for the 60 women, nationally for the 10 minorities). However for this calculation "the total number of general seats won by a political party shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join such political party within three days of the publications in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates."

[edit] Provincial assemblies

Parties Punjab Sindh NWFP Balochistan
Pakistan Peoples Party 106 90 30 11
Pakistan Muslim League (N) 165 0 9 0
Pakistan Muslim League (Q) 86 10 6 20
Muttahida Qaumi Movement 0 51 0 0
Awami National Party 0 2 46 4
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan

Note: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan and Jamiat Ahle Hadith did not participate.

 2 0 14 10
Pakistan Muslim League (F) 4 9 0 0
Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) 0 0 7 0
Balochistan National Party (Awami) 0 0 0 7
National Peoples Party 0 2 0 0
National Party 0 0 0 1
Independents 2 0 9 10
Total general seats 297 130 99 51
Reserved Seats (Women) 66 29 22 11
Reserved Seats (Minorities) 8 9 3 3
Declared results 365 164 121 63
Total seats 371 168 124 65
Source: Election Commission of Pakistan

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ahmed Rashid. "Pakistan's uncertain year ahead", BBC News, 2007-01-10. Retrieved on 2007-07-09. 
  2. ^ a b "Election Tracker: Pakistan", Angus Reid Global Monitor. Retrieved on 2007-07-09. 
  3. ^ "BBC NEWS". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  4. ^ "BBC NEWS". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  5. ^ "BBC NEWS". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  6. ^ "BBC NEWS". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  7. ^ Musharraf recommends general elections to be held on Jan. 8 - People's Daily Online (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  8. ^ "Pakistan Delays Vote After Bloodshed", Sky News, 2008-02-01. Retrieved on 2008-02-01. 
  9. ^ "In Pakistan, Musharraf’s Party Accepts Defeat - New York Times". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  10. ^ BBC NEWS | South Asia | New by-election date in Pakistan
  11. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6422418.html
  12. ^ Former Pakistani PM not to take part in by-elections - People's Daily Online
  13. ^ Main News
  14. ^ ONLINE - International News Network
  15. ^ Election for 38 seats to be held on June 3 -DAWN - Top Stories; April 15, 2008
  16. ^ BBC NEWS | South Asia | Anger in Pakistan at poll delays
  17. ^ PPP not to field candidates against PML-N leaders in by-elections - People's Daily Online
  18. ^ Model code of conduct for polls proposed -DAWN - Top Stories; July 03, 2007 (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  19. ^ Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA). GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
  20. ^ Car bomb kills 40 ahead of Pakistan vote. CNN. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
  21. ^ a b c M. Ziauddin. "MPC declaration asks Musharraf to resign: PPP’s stand accommodated", Dawn, 2007-07-09. Retrieved on 2007-07-09. 
  22. ^ Pakistan Opposition parties announce boycott of polls-Pakistan-World-The Times of India (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  23. ^ Bloomberg.com: Worldwide (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  24. ^ Bhutto's party gives go-ahead for members to file papers for elections in Pakistan - People's Daily Online (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  25. ^ Pakistani opposition leader calls for polls boycott - People's Daily Online (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  26. ^ "BBC NEWS". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  27. ^ "BBC NEWS". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  28. ^ "Sharif's candidacy papers rejected - CNN.com". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  29. ^ Opposition to take part in Pakistan elections - International Herald Tribune (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  30. ^ Angus Reid Global Monitor (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  31. ^ "CNN.com - Page Not Found". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  32. ^ "CNN.com - Page Not Found". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  33. ^ "Pakistan's opposition parties reach agreement". Retrieved on 2008-02-21. 
  34. ^ "Anti-Musharraf parties to form new government". Retrieved on 2008-03-09. 
  35. ^ "Bhutto Assassination Ignites Disarray", New York Times, 2007-12-28. Retrieved on 2007-12-27. 
  36. ^ guardian.co.uk (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  37. ^ Sharif to 'review' boycott if PPP goes to polls-Pakistan-World-The Times of India (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  38. ^ "Pakistan Delays Vote After Bloodshed", Sky News, 2008-02-01. Retrieved on 2008-02-01. 
  39. ^ "Pakistan blast toll rises to 27 - CNN.com". Retrieved on 2008-02-20. 
  40. ^ a b c AFP
  41. ^ "Sh Rashid, Ch Shujaat face surprising defeat", Geo TV. Retrieved on 2008-02-19. 
  42. ^ Al Jazeera English - News - Pakistan Parties To Form Coalition (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
  43. ^ "Musharraf opponents get MPs boost", BBC News, March 7, 2008.

[edit] External links

[edit] Background information

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