Notes from a former police chief: Battling violence during Pakistan election

As Pakistan braces for the 2024 elections, law enforcers face a daunting task. There has perhaps never been a time like this. Anger and disappointment are widespread, and so is a hope that election day- February 8- will mark the beginning of something better.

Elections in Pakistan have always been a time of turbulence. In fact the first direct general elections, held in 1970, led to the country’s disintegration, plunged East Pakistan into a bloodbath and led to the creation of Bangladesh. 

I recall a picture published in a 1977 edition of Time magazine showing a candidate stealing and running away with a ballot box. Massive rigging in the elections held that year triggered huge protests by the combined opposition. The worsening law and order situation eventually gave way to a military coup. The promise of elections within three months stretched to eleven years, only to be realized after the plane crash that caused General Zia’s demise. 

‘Use of force’ models in contracts with electoral institutions must be clear. The police’s prime duty must be to merely maintain steadfast neutrality and ethical conduct. 

- Syed Kaleem

More recently, the 2013 elections gave us the famous “35 punctures” slogan, and elections in 2018 brought with them the stigma of being “selected.” The country has also suffered immensely from election-centered violence, including the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto in the run-up to the 2008 polls. The same elections also saw major suicide bombings targeting political rallies and candidates, killing 37 people. 

The following elections, held in May 2013, were the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history, with more than 240 people killed in the lead-up. Military operations resulted in a substantially improved environment for the 2018 elections.

This time, threats from groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Daesh have cast a dark shadow over pre-election campaigns. In 2023, there were 1,500 reported terror incidents, resulting in 900 fatalities and 2,000 injuries. Their distribution was significantly concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, which accounted for 57 percent and 41 percent of all incidents respectively. More recently, numerous political candidates and workers have been killed in pre-election barbarity. Adding to the tension, clerics in Kohistan have announced a fatwa against women candidates, deeming their participation in democracy un-Islamic. A foul smell of blood is already in the air.

Without the PTI, forthcoming elections already stand defaced. There is no level playing field due to the ruthless abuse of power by virtually all state institutions. Unfortunately, the other major parties are glad for it. It doesn’t matter if they’re next in line as long as they win.

Due to the widespread impression that the elections are a ‘fixed match’, the traditional fervor in election-related activities is missing this year. However, the law-and-order situation remains grave. Balochistan is particularly volatile due to an increase in the BLA’s activities, as well as protests over missing persons. The agitation in Gilgit-Baltistan is equally alarming.

Many political leaders have received threatening calls, mainly for extortion. The miscreants have the potential to retaliate if their demands are not met. It is not just non-state actors who are involved. Some brazen forces from within the deep state are also forcing candidates to join hands with their opponents. These activities will intensify if many independent candidates win. Such a scenario will worsen the prevailing tense atmosphere.

Amid this rising wave of militancy and crime, governance issues and fierce political competition, the challenge for LEAs are enormous. 

As an officer in the police service, I was closely involved in all elections held since 1990. I can vouch that, barring a few, our politicians and other powers are more than willing to use any means to win. The act of maintaining impartiality is extremely difficult in a situation where a herd mentality is prevalent.

Security sectors must take stock of the situation. Provincial executives and police chiefs have a great responsibility being the direct physical arm of the state. They must realize that the misuse of authority will only earn them ignominy and be a source of embarrassment for their children. 

Security forces must craft rules of engagement to guide their responses in various settings during elections. ‘Use of force’ models in contracts with electoral institutions must be clear. The police’s prime duty must be to merely maintain steadfast neutrality and ethical conduct. It must allow political gatherings but detain lawbreakers when necessary.

More women should be utilized in election security. Timely intelligence sharing ought to be prioritized: it is key to take pre-emptive actions rather than be forced to react. Rigorous police training, information gathering, strategic vigilance, and alliances with various stakeholders will also help toward containing frenzy before and on election day. LEAs will also need to be compelling in their communication because they need to keep connected with the public at large. To this end, they should leverage technology to remind the communities they serve that they are there to safeguard democracy and public rights. 

Elections are a time when the public most needs law enforcement agencies to ensure safety. To do so, they have to remain focused. Distracting their attention by having them execute any agenda other than election security can have disastrous consequences. For this reason, the heads of all agencies must put their foot down against any demands to overstep their mandate. They need to keep their eye on the ball. The safety of millions is in their hands. We’re in for tough election security if history is anything to go by. A somber legacy is once again being written. 

- The writer holds a doctorate in politics and international relations and has served as a federal secretary and inspector-general of police. He tweets @KaleemImam.