Are the people satisfied with the elections that have been held in Pakistan?

1 The general elections in Pakistan, held on February 8, 2024, have left many people dissatisfied and disillusioned with the democratic process. The elections were marred by allegations of pre-poll rigging, violence, and delays in vote counting.

The results showed a hung parliament, with no single party securing a majority of seats. The main contenders were the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former prime minister Imran Khan.

Many people expressed their frustration and anger over the way the elections were conducted and the outcome. Some accused the military and the judiciary of interfering in the electoral process and favoring certain candidates. Others blamed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for its incompetence and lack of transparency. Some also questioned the credibility and integrity of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the biometric verification system (BVS) that were used for the first time in the country.

According to a survey by Gallup Pakistan, 70% of Pakistanis lacked confidence in the honesty of their elections⁴. The survey said that the political atmosphere “is equally as glum as the economic one” ahead of Pakistan’s first general election since 2018⁴.

Many people also complained about the lack of choice and diversity among the candidates, who mostly belonged to the same elite and feudal class. Some also expressed their disappointment with the performance and accountability of the previous governments, who failed to deliver on their promises and address the issues of the common people.

Are satisfied with the election?However, not everyone was unhappy with the elections. Some praised the high voter turnout, which was estimated at 64%, the highest in the country’s history. Some also appreciated the participation and representation of women, minorities, and young people in the electoral process. Some also expressed their hope and optimism for the future of the country, and urged the political parties to work together and form a coalition government that can tackle the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan.

The elections have direct implications for Pakistan’s global credibility, making it a focal point of international attention and concern as tensions remain high both within the country and in the region.

The elections also have an impact on the relations between Pakistan and its neighbors, especially India and Afghanistan, as well as its allies, such as China and the United States. The new government will have to deal with a range of issues, such as economic instability, security threats, social unrest, and environmental disasters, while ensuring the welfare and dignity of its people. 🇵🇰.

The current situation in Pakistani  people not satisfied with the election politics is very tense and polarised. The main reason for this is the ongoing conflict between the former prime minister Imran Khan and the current government led by Nawaz Sharif. Khan was removed from his position in April 2022 after a vote of no confidence, but he refused to accept it and launched a series of protests and rallies to demand an early election¹.

He also faces many legal cases against him, which he claims are politically motivated¹. Sharif, on the other hand, is trying to consolidate his power and legitimacy, but he faces challenges from the opposition, the judiciary, the military, and the public². Both leaders have loyal supporters and critics, and the situation has often turned violent and disruptive¹².

Besides this political crisis, Pakistan also faces many other problems, such as economic instability, security threats, social unrest, and environmental disasters. The country is struggling to cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the high inflation, the low foreign reserves, the frequent terror attacks, the sectarian violence, the human rights violations, and the climate change impacts³. Many people are dissatisfied with the performance and accountability of the government and the institutions, and they demand reforms and justice³