Election 1990 In Pakistan

The national elections held in Pakistan on October 24, 1990, marked a significant political event as voters elected members to the National Assembly. The primary contenders were the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA), a coalition led by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) under Benazir Bhutto, and the conservative nine-party alliance known as Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), led by Nawaz Sharif.

In August 1990, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolved the National Assembly and dismissed Bhutto's government, citing charges of corruption and maladministration. Despite the popularity of the PPP, anti-PPP forces, fearing a potential re-election, took various measures with military support to influence the outcome in favor of the IJI. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi was appointed as caretaker Prime Minister during this period. Despite these efforts, opinion polls indicated the PPP maintaining its lead.

However, the election results brought about a surprising victory for the IJI, securing 111 out of 207 seats, while the PDA only managed 44 seats, with a voter turnout of only 45%. Nawaz Sharif, the parliamentary leader of IJI, assumed the position of Prime Minister, while Benazir Bhutto became the Opposition Leader. In 2012, the Supreme Court declared the elections rigged.

Background

In the preceding 1988 election, the PPP, led by Benazir Bhutto, had secured the highest number of seats and formed the government. However, by 1990, discontent had risen due to issues such as increasing lawlessness, corruption allegations, and unfulfilled campaign promises.

Parties

The PPP formed an alliance with three other parties, Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya, Tehreek-e-Istiqlal, and the Pakistan Muslim League (Chatta), collectively known as the People's Democratic Alliance.

Campaign

As the campaign commenced, reports suggested that Bhutto and the PDA held a stronger position, given the caretaker government's failure to produce substantial evidence against her. In the final stages of the campaign, Bhutto led a massive procession in Lahore, while Sharif organized a rally for around ten thousand supporters nearby.

Electoral Fraud

In October 2012, the Supreme Court ruled on a petition by Asghar Khan, confirming allegations of rigging in the 1990 elections. It was revealed that Army Generals Mirza Aslam Baig and Asad Durrani, along with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, had provided financial assistance to favored parties, aiming to weaken the PPP's mandate.

Results

Despite winning the popular vote by a narrow margin of around 100,000 votes, the IJI secured 106 seats compared to the PDA's 44. The argument circulated that the PDA's vote was more evenly distributed, while the IJI's vote bank was concentrated, resulting in PDA candidates losing in closely contested IJI-won seats.