uman rights advocates and the civil society are generally concerned about the impact of a now apparent delay in elections, saying that this can have significant implications for the human rights situation in the country and the democratic process. While opinions vary, some common points have emerged in the wake of developments that threaten to cause a significant, possibly indefinite, delay. Most of these relate to concerns about the potential deterioration of human rights situation.

Arshad Mehmood Mirza, the Baidari-Sialkot executive director, says that a long delay in holding general elections can lead to a perception of weakened democratic norms and institutions, as regular and timely elections are crucial in democratic governance. “This can erode public trust in the political process and institutions, which in turn can impact human rights protections.” He says that elections provide citizens with the opportunity to participate in the political process and have a say in governance. “A delay can limit citizens’ ability to exercise their right to vote and participate in decision-making, potentially marginalising certain groups and undermining their human rights.”

Regular elections, he says, serve as a mechanism for holding governments accountable for their actions. “A delay can lead to a lack of accountability, as the government might avoid scrutiny and oversight during the extended period, potentially resulting in human rights abuses going unchecked.”

In some cases, Mirza says, governments might use the excuse of an election delay to suppress dissent and opposition under the pretext of maintaining stability. “This can lead to increased human rights violations, such as restrictions on freedoms of speech, assembly and association.” Election delays can create political instability and uncertainty, which may escalate into violence if large factions dispute the legitimacy of the government, he says.

Election delays can also undermine the rule of law by disregarding established constitutional timelines and processes, weakening the legal framework that safeguards human rights. According to him, delays in elections can negatively impact a country’s image abroad, especially if these are perceived as deliberate attempts to avoid democratic accountability. This could lead to diplomatic consequences and reduced international cooperation on human rights issues.

A lack of transparency and communication about the reasons for election delays can lead to a loss of public trust. This erosion of trust can affect citizens’ confidence in the government’s ability to protect their rights.

Saad Muhammad Chaudhary, deputy secretary general of the Pakistan Workers’ Federation, says that the impact of delayed elections on human rights might extend beyond the immediate period of delay. It can set a precedent for future postponements and weaken the commitment to democratic principles over time, he adds. “A delay in holding election will weaken the democractic set up in Pakistan. In democratic systems, the protection of individual rights and equal treatment for all is a fundamental principle.” However, he adds that it is possible for certain groups, such as labour, to face challenges and inequalities despite a democratic framework. Chaudhary says that this could be for several reasons including that the labour class might not have adequate representation in the political process. This can result in policies that favour the powerful and the influential over the interests of workers.

While democratic systems generally support labour rights, a weak enforcement of these rights, anti-union sentiment and limited collective bargaining power can lead to exploitation and limited rights of workers. Labourers, particularly those in vulnerable or informal sectors, are at a higher risk of exploitation in the absence of representation. Political representation can help expose and combat exploitative practices.

In a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan insisted that regardless of the implications of the latest digital census for fresh constituency delimitations, there should be no delay in the general elections beyond the stipulated 90-day period. The HRCP also demanded that the detailed census results must be made public immediately.

Overall, rights groups have maintained that timely and regular elections are the cornerstone of democratic governance and contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights. Any delays in elections should be approached with caution.

The writer is a reporter at The News International. He can be reached at sherali9984@gmail.com