The polling for the highly controversial and competitive by-election in the constituency of NA-75 Daska concluded at 5 pm yesterday, prompting a sigh of relief from many that disruption and violence seen during the first by-election was not repeated.
The first by-election, held in February, was a chaotic tragedy, leading to a long line of political controversies. At least two people were killed and three others injured in a firing incident at a polling station and the allegations of rigging and intimidation of poll workers ended up in the Supreme Court, where the apex court rejected the government’s plea against the verdict of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct re-polling in the entire constituency of NA-75.
It is imperative that the government and party workers of each faction learn from the events of the first by-election in Daska to ensure that political competition cannot escalate into violence again. It is no wonder then that the authorities were on high alert in Daska this week. However, thankfully, apart from some reports of an aerial firing a few days before the polling, and some slogans from opposing party members, the day remained largely uneventful, with no major clash occurring.
Considering the Daska affair prompted a lot of political infighting, with all parties unable to agree on any result, it is hoped that the peaceful conduct of the day will resolve this matter once and for all. A democratic process is without a doubt important, but constant re-polling and delay of a credible result is a failure of the process. The constituency is evenly populated with PTI and PML-N supporters, with a smattering of TLP, making it highly competitive. The outcome of the first by-election reflects the instability that happens when political competition escalates out of control; it is hoped that there will not be a repeat of that with the re-polling, and whoever is declared the winner can start serving the people of Daska quickly.