THE spectre of elections-related violence is ever-present in Pakistan, with the

last wo nationwide poll exercises marked by bloodshed, particularly during the

campaigning phase. A number of recent incidents in different parts of the country
should alert both the caretaker administration and the security forces to the
threat that violence poses to the conduct of fair elections. On Wednesday, a PTI-
backed candidate was killed in Bajaur, only a day after at least four people died
as a rally for a PTi-suporterd hopeful in Sibi was bombed. Some reports have
attributed the Sibi attack to the self-styled Islamic State group. In another
incident on Tuesday, an ANP hopeful and his guard came under attack in KP’s Shangla
area while on the campaign trail, but they survived the assault. Meanwhile, in
Karachi on Sunday, a MOM man was killed as supporters of the Muttahida and the PPP
clashed in Nazimabad. Earlier in January, and independent candidate was
assassinated in North Waziristan, while a PML-N hopeful survived a gun attack in
Turbat.
These incidents illustrate the varied nature of threats -- from personnel vendettas
to political differences, as well as from militant groups, including religiously
inspired outfits, along with separatist violence. Candidate in Kp0 and Baluchistan
face the biggest threats from extremist groups such as the banned TTP and IS, while
separatist may also try and sabotage the electoral process in the latter province.
As for political violence, while levels have come down from past years, when
parties fought pitched battles on the streets of Karachi, even minor arguments can
flare up and turn into bigger disputes 00 a dangerous tendency in a city where
various political groupings are flush with arms. It is the prime duty of the
caretaker administration to protect candidates as well as voters in the run-up to
po9lls and on the day of the election itself. The administration needs to
concentrate on this core responsibility.