Business Recorder
EDITORIAL: The principle that “justice delayed is justice denied” has once again become painfully relevant to this country’s electoral landscape. More than two years after the February 2024 general elections, over one-third of election petitions remain unresolved, according to the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen). The prolonged delay in adjudicating these disputes not only undermines confidence in democratic institutions but also casts a shadow over the legitimacy of legislative and constitutional processes carried out during this period. Election tribunals were established to ensure timely and impartial resolution of electoral disputes. The Elections Act clearly requires tribunals to decide petitions within 180 days. Yet, by April 2026, 128 of the 374 petitions originally filed were still pending. As a result, dozens of lawmakers continue to sit in national and provincial assemblies while questions regarding the validity of their elections remain unanswered. The issue becomes even more serious in light of major constitutional developments that have taken place since the elections. Constitutional amendments, needless to say, derive their legitimacy from the unquestioned authority of elected representatives. If the status of many legislators remains legally disputed, doubts inevitably arise regarding the moral and political strength of decisions made by parliament. Such uncertainty weakens public trust in representative democracy and fuels suspicions about the integrity of the electoral process itself. Unfortunately, the relevant authorities have failed to enforce legal provisions designed to discourage unnecessary delays. The law permits penalties such as mandatory costs for adjournments and even suspension of assembly membership if a returned candidate is found responsible for prolonging proceedings. According to Fafen, however, no such suspensions have been ordered. That points to a broader culture of impunity in which legal deadlines are treated as optional rather than binding. Transparency concerns further compound the problem in the country, particularly in Punjab, where tribunals have reportedly withheld petition memos and judgments from public access. The withholding of key documents deprives citizens, political parties, and independent observers of the opportunity to scrutinize tribunal decisions. Such opacity only encourages speculation and reinforces suspicions about the neutrality of electoral and judicial institutions. The delays also impose a heavy political cost on the country. As repeatedly witnessed after successive general elections, unresolved electoral disputes deepen political polarisation and keep tensions alive long after polling has ended. Instead of allowing the democratic process to move forward, these lingering petitions perpetuate uncertainty and instability. Voters may eventually lose faith in constitutional mechanisms altogether if justice continues to be endlessly postponed. Pakistan’s democratic future depends on ensuring that electoral disputes are resolved fairly, transparently, and within the timeframe prescribed by law. Election tribunals must be strengthened, judicial accountability improved, and transparency guaranteed. Delayed justice in electoral matters damages not only individual candidates but also the credibility of the political order. Without timely resolution of electoral disputes, the very foundation of representative governance remains weakened.
Go to News Site