Pakistan Elections: Analysis. What Constitutes Free and Fair?

Notwithstanding assurances from some within the U.S. Government and Pakistani Government that this upcoming election can and will be "free and fair" it is increasingly apparent that enough steps have already been put in place that this can not be so. It is hard to make the argument that despite the state of emergency, the arrests of lawyers, the new Supreme Court, the fact the Sharif can not run and that Bhutto may not be able to lead even if she wins, the media restrictions, the continued militant suicide attacks, not to mention the general assorted political machinations (such as persuading people to change parties etc.), that with all of this, the elections will be free and fair.

The question is how free and fair is enough? Should the line be that they are better than the previous elections?

I would argue that, at worst, the elections should reflect in a broad way the desires of the voters. No one at this point expects that it will be a true representation of the vote, but if a majority for example vote for Bhutto, then the PPP should win. Whether the number of seats come out right is today, a standard, that would be too much to expect.

Nevertheless it is a dangerous thing to play in the grays - just how much is enough. But, if we are expecting a lilly white election on January 8, it is already too late. Unfortunately, on this round, the gray's is where we will be working. And, it will take all the efforts of the Pakistani people, supported by the international community, to ensure that they are as free and fair as we can, at this point, make them.