This is in reference to the editorial “Let Musharraf stand in Pakistan elections.” The editorial quite rightly points out that the vendetta shown by political rivals and the judiciary in not allowing Pervez Musharraf to contest elections will give the former president an opportunity to cry foul and will undermine the political legitimacy of whoever wins. In my opinion, the credibility of the upcoming May 11 elections has already been lost.

The first blow came from the Returning Officers (ROs) who amusingly forced a number of candidates out of electoral process on the basis of their general knowledge and awareness about rituals. Then, the Election Commission allowed hundreds of candidates from religious and sectarian parties and their outfits/splinter groups to contest elections, and later it declared that religion and sect should not be used to seek votes. Most importantly, the Taleban have declared the democratic process as un-Islamic. They not only threatened to disrupt the campaign but are also brutally attacking candidates and rallies of liberal parties.

In this backdrop, rejection of Musharraf’s nomination papers from four constituencies and cancellation of his bail plea speaks volumes of the partiality of the current administration in connivance with the judiciary. — Masood Khan, Jubail