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The Pakistani national election is scheduled to take place on Thursday, as planned, despite growing security concerns, the election commission confirmed at an important meeting today. Top security officials were present at the conference, which was called to discuss the rising pre-election violence occurrences in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, two western provinces.
According to a statement from the commission, Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja stated that he was willing to hold the elections with the help of the army and security services. The choice was made in response to concerns that there would be an election postponement following the recent death of a candidate in a tribal district near the Afghan border.
The meeting was called in response to a spike in violence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the shooting death of a national assembly candidate on January 30. On the same day, at the Balochistan electoral office of his party, another political leader met an equally untimely end. Four people were killed by a bombing in Balochistan on Tuesday during an electoral rally; the Islamic State claimed credit.
The nation’s security chief, acting interior minister Gohar Ejaz, reassured people that the polls will go ahead as scheduled. Dismissing rumours of a possible postponement, Ejaz declared, “There should be no uncertainties that the election will be on Feb. 8.
The public’s and the Senate’s concerns over the increasing number of violent occurrences have prompted a non-binding resolution requesting a postponement of the elections. Notwithstanding security concerns, the election commission’s decision—which was supported by the interior minister—indicates a commitment to upholding democracy.
Pakistan is dealing with two different insurgencies. one from Islamist groups in the northwest and another from ethno-nationalist Baloch forces in the southwest. Following a protracted battle with security troops, a Monday attack on a town in Balochistan by separatist Baloch militants—among them, three suicide bombers—left at least fifteen people dead.
Concerned about how the violence is getting worse and how it can affect the election process, the U.S. State Department has voiced concerns. The importance of a transparent and peaceful electoral process in Pakistan is underscored by the international community, which is closely monitoring the situation.
As per the announcement made by his party on January 31, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison by an anti-graft court for his illicit sale of public gifts. The former cricket star will be barred from holding public office for ten years as a result of this conviction, which marks the third one in recent months.
The Pakistani authorities’ resolute decision to carry out the planned elections despite the obstacles shows a dedication to democratic principles, even as the country awaits the election amid security worries.