International Standard of Fair Elections and Scenario of Polls in Pakistan

International Standard of Fair Elections

Abstract

The study presents a view of international standards for fair and free elections set by the international bodies as well as various Electoral bodies of developed countries. The electoral bodies had set the principals for pre-polling as well as during poll processes of elections rather it was for federal and state legislatures or local body councils. The implication of international standards in Pakistani elections has also been checked and short-comes are elucidated in detail. The study is done by the qualitative content analysis technique and interview method was also used for having the detailed opinion of concerns. The study presented a view that international election standards did not be applied in Pakistani elections. The study is concluded as that international standards were never be applied on polls in Pakistan, especially during the general elections of 2002 and 2008 as well as presidential referendum of General Musharraf. The Musharraf regime violated the rules and regulations and ECBs as well as ECOs did not be accomplished their responsibilities during that. Regime tried to maneuver elections but public power abolished its plan to favor the King’s Party in general elections 2008 but country had to pay a huge loos of visionary political leader of Benazir Bhutto.