FRIST GENERAL ELECTION IN PAKISTAN (1970) || Election 1970

 FIRST GENERAL ELECTION IN PAKISTAN

In December 1970, Pakistan held its first direct general elections since gaining independence, with the aim of electing members to the National Assembly. This historic event turned out to be the only direct general elections held before the independence of Bangladesh. The voting involved 300 general constituencies, with 162 in East Pakistan and 138 in West Pakistan. Additionally, thirteen seats were reserved for women, seven in East Pakistan and six in West Pakistan, to be elected by members of the National Assembly.

The primary contenders in the elections were two social democratic parties: the west-based Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the east-based Awami League. In East Pakistan, the Awami League was the dominant force, while in West Pakistan, the PPP faced tough competition from conservative factions of the Muslim League and Islamist parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan.

The election results saw the Awami League securing a decisive victory by winning 160 of the 162 general seats in East Pakistan and all seven women's seats. In contrast, the PPP won 81 general seats and five women's seats, all in West Pakistan. Subsequent provincial elections further showcased the Awami League's dominance in East Pakistan and the PPP's success in Punjab and Sindh. The National Awami Party emerged victorious in Northwest Frontier Province and Balochistan.

The National Assembly faced initial delays in inauguration as President Yahya Khan and PPP chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were hesitant about including a party from East Pakistan in the federal government. Instead, Yahya appointed Nurul Amin, a veteran Bengali politician, as Prime Minister to broker a compromise between the PPP and Awami League. However, this attempt failed, leading to unrest and eventually the civil war and the creation of Bangladesh.

Background

Pakistan underwent significant political changes since becoming an Islamic republic in 1956. The first general elections slated for 1959 were delayed due to political instability, leading to President Iskander Mirza abrogating the constitution in 1958. Martial law was imposed, and General Ayub Khan assumed power. In 1962, a new constitution was framed, establishing a presidential system of government.
Ayub Khan's presidency faced opposition, notably from Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in East Pakistan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in West Pakistan. Political pressure forced Ayub Khan to hand over power to General Yahya Khan in 1969, leading to martial law and the abrogation of the 1962 Constitution. In 1970, Yahya Khan announced direct elections for a unicameral legislature through a Legal Framework Order (LFO).

Elections and Candidates

The 1970 general elections were considered fair and clean, featuring around twenty-four political parties. The Awami League and PPP emerged as the main contenders, with the government supporting pro-Islamic parties. The Jamaat-e-Islami suspected the Awami League of having secessionist intentions.
In East Pakistan, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujib, campaigned based on its Six-Points Program, gaining massive support. However, they failed to win any seats in West Pakistan. Conversely, the PPP failed to secure seats in East Pakistan. The political divide intensified, with leaders from West Pakistan opposing an East Pakistani-led government.
In West Pakistan, the political landscape was diverse, featuring right-wing parties promoting Islamic slogans and nationalist platforms. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's charisma and the PPP's "Roti Kapra Aur Makaan" slogan attracted widespread support among the poor, students, and the working class.

Nominations

A total of 1,957 candidates filed nominations for 300 National Assembly seats, with 1,579 eventually contesting the elections. The Awami League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the PPP were among the prominent parties running candidates.
The 1970 general elections marked a pivotal moment in Pakistan's history, setting the stage for significant political changes and eventually leading to the creation of Bangladesh.