Pakistan’s 2024 Elections: Obstacles to Candidacy and Democracy
GHRTV
09-01-2024
Angelique van der Burgh
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence
The Pakistani Parliament dissolved itself on August 9th, 2024 [1]. Since then, the Pakistani government has been organizing elections, hoping to conduct these in February of 2024. This process has presented difficulties for the Pakistani government, including ensuring safe polling stations, redistricting, and allowing political parties to campaign. Most recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has become involved in which parties and candidates can participate in the upcoming elections. Namely, on the 8th of January, 2024, the Pakistani SC ruled that lawmakers cannot be subject to lifelong disqualification [2]. The ruling implies that Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Chief Jehangir Khan Tareen of the Istekham-i-Pakistan Party are allowed to compete in the upcoming elections. Thus, two former Pakistani government officials are allowed to compete in elections, despite their previous criminal convictions [4].
However, the outcome of the ruling is subject to debate. A famous anchor, Shahzeb Khanzada, argued it would be undemocratic to withhold any political party from participating in the upcoming elections [3]. The SC agreed with this statement and referenced rights within the constitution that protect individuals from being denied the opportunity to participate in elections. However, the ruling is not without controversy. Pakistan Thehreek-e-Insaf leader Hammaz Azhar criticized the SC for allowing those with criminal records to participate in elections, while individuals facing allegations are not allowed to participate. Thus, the ruling protects the right for an individual to compete in elections but is controversial in the tense political atmosphere in Pakistan.
Sources and further readings:
[1] https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ahead-of-elections-pakistans-democracy-stands-badly-damaged/
[4] https://www.dw.com/en/pakistan-court-lifts-final-hurdle-for-ex-pm-sharif-to-run/a-67921571
