Democracy in Pakistan is, unfortunately, a failure. The roots of dictatorship are very much strong in Pakistan. The involvement and illegal intervention of Bureaucracy and Military dictators do not let the democracy to take root inside Pakistan. The history of democracy even though short can be studied as under with special reference to the history of Pakistan.
Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, the first premier of Pakistan, soon after the assumption of his charge, convened a constituent Assembly. The Assembly was assigned the task to frame a sustainable constitution for the future of Pakistan. It however failed to do so although it continued extending its life. It remained in office for seven years in spite of doing nothing. It was later dissolved by the Governor General Iskandar Mirza however controversially.
The first election, soon after the constituent assembly of Pakistan, was held in 1954. Since the Muslim League lost the election in East Pakistan, it was thought to be fair. The opposition parties formed an alliance which was known as ‘United Jagtoo Front’. The alliance succeeded to win 223 out of 309 seats in East and emerged as the biggest party. Muslim League was routed. The West Pakistan was blamed for creating a rift amongst the opposition parties for preventing them from implementing their manifesto. The Political instability was caused due to the Mutilated tussle between East and West wings of Pakistan.
The election for the National Assembly was supposed to be held in January 1959. The plan of election was however pre – empted with the imposition of Martial Law in Oct 1958. The Martial Law was imposed by major General Iskandar Mirza. Therefore, no direct election was held for parliament from 1947 till 1970.
General Ayub, a military dictator during his regime, abolished the method of direct election. Instead of a direct election he adopted the principles of Basic Democratic System to elect president, National and Provincial assemblies. The system was to act as an electoral college. There were 80,000 basic democrats 40,000 from each East and West Pakistan. General Ayub was moreover elected as president of Pakistan for five years by the same basic democrats. Thus, his position was strengthened and given a legitimate shape.
Miss Fatima Jinnah, on behalf of the people, contested the election for president ship against General Ayub. Nevertheless, she lost the election due to the involvement of civil and military bureaucracy. Thus the sanctity of ballot box was violated and a dictator swept the poll however unconstitutionally.
General Ayub was succeeded by an other dictator General Yahya Khan. He however, promised to hold general election on the basis of direct franchise. The election of 1970 was also thought to be fair and impartial. The Awam League and People’s Party swept the poll in East and West Pakistan respectively. General Yahya did not accept the result and thus resulted in a political turmoil. Moreover, it was during that decade that the sad incident leading the secession of East Pakistan happened.
The first election under the constitution of 1973 was held in 1977. PPP came into power at center. The opposition parties labeled the charge of rigging against PPP. The latter demanded for re – election which was not accepted. Thus the democratic government was overthrown by the dictator General Zia ul Haq. He remained into power till 1985. The presence of Z.H in the election of 1985 caused the absence of leading political parties from election. Therefore, the election was proved as fruitless. The next election was held in 1988 in which Benazir Bhutto came into power at center and provinces of Sindh and NWFP. The Government was however accused for involving ISI in the election. Therefore, the political situation was deteriorated and the government collapsed before completing its tenure. The election of 1990 brought Nawaz Sharif into power which could not get the stamp of fairness. It is said that the purpose of election was only to oust the newly born government of PPP.
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