ATP Poll Results: Will Pakistan Have Elections in 2007?

Posted on June 7, 2007
Filed Under >Adil Najam, ATP Poll, Politics
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Adil Najam

I must confess that I had an unterior motive in putting up the last ATP Poll – on whether readers thought that there would be elections in Pakistan in 2007 or not? I am supposed to give a talk about this topic in Washington DC today, organized by the Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP), and I thought that maybe presenting the results of this ATP Poll would be a good way to start.

Of course, since putting up the Poll much has happened – too much, actually. So much, in fact, that I am no longer sure what the results of the Poll means.

But here, anyhow, are the results, along with some salient features of the results:

  • Out of a total of 771 responses from ATP readers, 36 percent (275 votes) believe that elections will be held as planned. It is not clear, however, whether this is a vote of confidence in Gen. Musharraf or an expression of cynicism about how despite all the current agitation nothing will really change.
  • Closely behind are those 239 readers (31 percent) who believe that there will be no elections in Pakistan in 2007. Interestingly, this group accounted for around 28 percent of the total votes until two days ago and this number started rising after the recent clampdown on the media in Pakistan.
  • About 12 percent of our readers (95 votes) feel that there will be elections in 2007, but not under Gen. Musharraf. This group, it seems, feels that change is not just likely but imminent.
  • Finally, 162 readers – 21 percent – are of the view that things are changing so fast that it is not possible to make any predictions whatsoever on this matter. Let me say that although this is not the option I had myself voted for originally, at this point in time – given what has happened and is happening right now – this is probably what I would say today.

10 responses to “ATP Poll Results: Will Pakistan Have Elections in 2007?”

  1. Saad says:

    What exactly is the point that is Gov. trying to prove here? According to the MI General, CJ mentioned it in one of his private meetings with him, that Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf should dissolve the assemblies and make a caretaker government under his supervision, so?

    Then he goes on to say that the CJ wanted to bring forward references against HC justices in the Supreme Judicial Council, well CJ himself has been saying that since day 1, that he too was about to file references against different judges from Punjab, so where exactly is the surprise in that?

    Will someone please try and explain to me, as to what exactly is Gov. of Pakistan trying to say here? As in, what illegal step did CJ take that made it ok for the General to oust him of his office?

  2. Anwar says:

    Adil, good luck with your presentation. It appears Musharaf is very badly needed by Bush/Cheney junta to put pressure on Iran,(plus some other compulsions.) US is itching for creating troubles for the Iranian regime and has openly admitted to covert actions. Killings of Iranians by Jand-ul-Islam supported by PK is an indication that Musharaf is going to be useful until a new occupant arrives in the White House. After that, like other disposable quantities, he will be history. Therefore by all means available he will be forced to survive for another year and a half… After that the curse may continue for some time until its violent end.

  3. MQ says:

    The counter-affidavits filed by all the president’s men sound pretty much hollow. Perhaps I am biased. Let’s see how others read it.

  4. TURAB says:

    Pakistani top judge wanted to head government: MI director general ISLAMABAD, June 7 (AFP) Pakistan’s top judge Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry wanted President Pervez Musharraf to dissolve the government and install him as head of an interim administration several months before his suspension, Major General Nadeem Ijaz, the director general of Military Intelligence, said Thursday. The allegation came in one of three affidavits submitted to the Supreme Court by top officials who were present when President Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on March 9. Major General Nadeem Ijaz, said that Justice Iftikhar had telephoned him a few months ago and asked him to come for a meeting. “When I went to see him he started discussing (the) political situation,â€

  5. Sohail says:

    The decision of not holding elections for whatever reason would result in a ‘sub kuch khatam ho jaey ga, as we know it’ situation.
    People are not ready to take it any more. Media and judiciary are on the roll and the momentum is building up by the day.

    Conclusion: Change has already taken place and will continue its course with or without election 2007.
    Hopefully most of the sensible people will be on the right side of history.

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