Pakistan: Election Commission bars PML-N from Mar. 3 Senate elections /update 1

Event

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Thursday, February 22, that the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) is prohibited from fielding candidates in the upcoming Pakistani Senate elections, scheduled Saturday, March 3. The ECP's decision comes after the Pakistani Supreme Court's February 21 ruling that bars former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from continuing in his position as party leader of PML-N; moreover, the Supreme Court ordered that actions taken by Nawaz Sharif as PML-N party head after his disqualification from public office and resignation as prime minister on July 28, 2017, be retroactively nullified.

Therefore, candidates chosen by Sharif to run as PML-N candidates in the upcoming Senate elections on March 3 have also been disqualified. The ECP has said that the candidates nominated by Sharif may run in the March 3 polls as independent candidates; despite speculation that the Senate elections would be delayed, the ECP has stated that they will take place as scheduled on March 3. Consequent protests, a heightened security presence, and associated transportation disruptions, including roadblocks, are expected in Pakistan, particularly near polling places, in the coming days ahead of the Senate vote.

Context

On July 28, 2017, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned following a decision by the Supreme Court to disqualify him from holding public office, after a probe into his family's wealth following the 2015 Panama Papers leak. Observers had been hopeful to see Sharif become the first Pakistani prime minister to complete a full five-year term. Pakistani politicians generally suffer from poor governance track records, especially in the fight against corruption. Many believe the Supreme Court has started to crack down on corruption in favor of a more democratic system.

Advice

Individuals in Pakistan are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations and protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Anticipate heightened security measures and transportation disruptions near polling places.

As a reminder, Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to Pakistan due a nationwide high threat from terrorism, kidnapping, and sectarian violence. Travel should only be considered with strict security protocols in place.