been apprehensions to the contrary leading up to the polls. The security personnel were generally courteous and reacted in a prompt manner by deputing more personnel wherever HRCP observers expressed fears of tension and clashes among voters and candidates at any polling station. However, firing into the air, apparently in celebration, was reported from some constituencies late on Monday.”
“The use of voters’ list based on Nadra’s record was well-received and led to weeding out of duplicate votes, and the around 750,000 votes in the 2009 GBLA elections were cut down to 615,000 votes this time around. There had been few objections to the voters’ list although some complaints were received over the location of polling stations.”
“This is not to say that the elections were perfect. Indeed many things could have been improved and prevented. Controversy about the choice of the governor and the Constitution and size of the caretaker cabinet could have been avoided. There were at least some complaints that the ink used for marking voters’ thumbs was not indelible. Also, leading up to the elections, there had been numerous complaints of the use of state machinery. At least some of these were in response to important leaders of the ruling party in the centre addressing public gatherings and making promises during the GBLA election campaign. They can at the very least be faulted for making these announcements which, on account of their timing, seemed to be designed to influence the voters’ choice.”
“The demand for GBLA elections to be held simultaneously with the general elections elsewhere in the country is a thoroughly justified one. Synchronized elections across the country would not only address grievances regarding attempts to influence and interfere in the GBLA elections from the centre but will also make sure that even such a perception does not arise.”
“A number of violations of the code of conduct for elections did come to light during the polls on Monday. These included the candidates setting up their camps closer to the polling station than they were permitted, hoardings and banners larger than the approved size and candidates pasting their posters at polling stations. However, no single party had monopoly over such violations and all were guilty of indulging in such tactics.”
“A matter of great alarm and bitter disappointment has been the fact that banned militant organisations managed to openly display their flags and solicited votes under their banner. That is a slur on an otherwise praise-worthy effort that must be condemned.”