IT is quite frustrating when, instead of swiftly sorting out the issue of denial of the party election symbol to several PPP ticket-holders, especially those in Punjab, the ECP comes up with lame excuses. The argument that ballot papers have already been sent for printing, and that the polls might have to be delayed if judicial orders to change electoral symbols allocated to candidates keep coming does not have a leg to stand on. The election commission had already lost its credibility by stripping the PTI of its election symbol on debatable technical grounds, and forcing its candidates to contest on different symbols as ‘independents’, to the dismay of millions of the party’s supporters across Punjab and KP. If the ECP continues to resist calls from political parties and does not take court orders seriously in this respect, it will make itself and the upcoming polls more controversial than ever. People are already accusing the ECP of working to ‘clear the field’ for the PML-N in Punjab to ensure that it has a walkover on Feb 8.

Election symbols are essential campaign tools to help voters identify party candidates on the ballot paper in a country where most of the people cannot read. Denying party symbols of their choice to both the candidates and electorate amounts to intentionally weakening the structure of parliamentary democracy that is built around the public’s right to participate in the democratic process through selecting political parties they think will deliver. However, the excuses that are being proffered by the ECP, which is disinclined to address concerns over the denial of party symbols the candidates, betray its unwillingness to right a wrong that might have a significant impact on the electoral outcome in a number of constituencies in Punjab. It will deprive the affected parties of a fair chance on polling day — and the ECP of the public’s trust, if any is left.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024