SOMEHOW, it is believed that if some soldiers hang around polling stations and other strategic locations, the simple act will give the elections a seal of approval, and make the process free, fair and transparent.

Actually, it is not all that simple. If the system is deeply flawed, like it is in Pakistan, the presence of artillery and tanks and even overflying jets won’t make the elections any fairer.

Like for example, acting illegally and ignoring protests by the Election Commission of Pakistan, the government had drastically altered the nomination form for aspiring parliamentarians by removing the disclosures and other essential requirements.

This way, the government had enabled the corrupt to just sail through the vetting process by the returning officers.

The armed forces should refuse to be associated with such a flawed election process because it will tarnish their image. Surely, the armed forces should insist on the election process being made credible as a condition for their association with it.

Syed Hakeem

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2018