AN ANALYSIS OF THE PAKISTAN GENERAL ELECTION 2013

This article provides an analysis of the historic general election held in Pakistan in 2013. It examines the significance of the election, which marked the first time in the country's history that one elected civilian government had completed its full term and handed over power to another. The study analyzes the key features of the election campaign, the major political parties and their platforms, and the final results. The research explores the reasons for the decisive victory of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif. The paper also assesses the performance of the Election Commission and the role of the judiciary and the media in ensuring a relatively free and fair election, despite the significant challenges of violence and intimidation from extremist groups. The analysis concludes that the 2013 election was a major milestone in Pakistan's difficult and often-interrupted journey towards democratic consolidation.

The general election of 2013 was a watershed moment for democracy in Pakistan. For the first time ever, a democratically elected government completed its five-year term and a constitutional transfer of power occurred through the ballot box. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of this landmark election. The study begins by detailing the political context and the key issues that dominated the election campaign, particularly the country's severe energy crisis, a struggling economy, and the ongoing challenge of terrorism. The core of the article is an analysis of the election results. It explains the reasons for the sweeping victory of Nawaz Sharif's PML-N, attributing it to the party's stronghold in the populous Punjab province and a public desire for a leader with a proven track record on economic management. The paper also analyzes the surprising rise of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which, while not winning the election, emerged as a major new political force, particularly among the urban youth. A key part of the study is an assessment of the election process itself. It highlights the positive and newly assertive role of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the judiciary in overseeing the polls, which contributed to their overall credibility. The findings suggest that despite the many challenges, the 2013 election represented a significant step forward for the country's democratic institutions. The paper concludes that this historic transfer of power had generated a new sense of optimism about the future of democracy in Pakistan.