Null and void.

HAD people not lost their lives, the ham-fisted attempt at rigging the Daska by-election on Feb 19 could have been described as a parody. In fact, what transpired that day was a shocking display of the extent to which local and provincial administrations were willing to go to corrupt the process. It is therefore fitting that the Election Commission of Pakistan has declared the by-election null and void. In its detailed order issued on Thursday, the ECP said that the poll 'has not been conducted honestly, fairly and in a transparent manner... leading to make the process of results doubtful/unascertainable'. Not only did officers of 20 polling stations go missing after the votes were cast, but violent clashes created an atmosphere of intimidation for voters during the day, thereby rendering the exercise egregiously tainted overall. The regulatory body has therefore announced re-election not only at the 20 polling stations that were considered problematic, but in the entire constituency. While the PML-N, which is claiming that its candidate's mandate was stolen, welcomed the ECP's decision, the PTI revised its initial stance. It had earlier said that it respected the ECP's decision and that it proves the PTI had fulfilled its pledge to allow institutions to function independently. Later however...