The spokesperson for the armed forces on Tuesday pledged the institution’s full support for the upcoming polls and said all ‘forces’ that wanted to postpone the elections have slowly withered away.
Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said the armed forces will fulfil its “non-political and impartial manner”. Ghafoor reiterated that the Army has “no direct role in the conduct of elections”.
The armed forces spokesman, while elaborating on the role of the Army in the conduct of polls, said the armed forces have assisted the civilian authorities during previous elections and the practice is not new. “In the 1997 elections, 35,000 polling stations were marked and 192,000 troops were deployed, this was our full deployment rate. Security was completely handed to us,” he added
“In 2002, to protect 64,000 polling stations, 30,500 troops were deployed. In 2008, 39,000 troops were deployed. The number was low because the condition of the country was poor, forces were in operations and a leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) was killed as well,” Ghafoor added.
“Pakistan is heading towards elections. Removing the 2002 polls, because a uniformed man intervened, but otherwise consistent polls have been taking place,” said Ghafoor when asked whether the polls be held according to schedule.
The army’s role is only to facilitate the ECP. “Support them in all tasks in which they’ve asked for help. The code of conduct has nothing to do with the army, it is the ECP’s job to ensure conduct is followed. We will only be supporting, this has to be clear,” Ghafoor added
“We are not intervening to conduct the elections, only to facilitate them. Elections need to be conducted without fear of terrorism or attack. We need to ensure that an atmosphere is helpful for jalsas to be conducted,” he further added.
He further went on to say that ECP’s code of conduct needs to be absolutely implemented.
Responding to questions regarding rigging allegations, Maj Gen Ghafoor rhetorically replied, “Please tell me of an election where prior the elections, politicians have not switched parties? A party, fearing defeat, has always said they are being targeted. All political parties try to bring each other down prior to the elections.”
Maj Gen Ghafoor also answered questions regarding the alleged role being played by Maj Gen Faiz Hameed of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and said, “Those taking his name aren’t aware of what he has done for the country. ISI has a monumental role in safeguarding the country and its interests. One can only speculate, but Gen Faiz has done so much”.
When asked how members of banned organisations are contesting polls, Ghafoor said, “I have been asked this before, a political party is formed for elections, there is a process to register them. The process of permission and scrutiny takes place and the ECP has to decide who can or cannot contest the elections. If banned organisations are contesting polls, then each individual has the chance to object it. The armed forces have no connection with the eligibility of candidates.”
Reiterating his earlier statement, the spokesman said the Army became thick-skinned and has tolerated comments and slander, which they will continue to do so till July 25. “The elections will happen.”
