Pakistan's Election Commissioner, Kanwar Dilshad, has a complex about his commission being constantly compared unfavourably with India’s Election Commission. He was irked by queries from journalists as to why the Pakistan elections were not conducted as freely and fairly as in India. To prove the media wrong, Dilshad even introduced transparent plastic boxes, rather like enlarged children’s lunch boxes, so everyone could see just what was inside the ballot boxes. Dilshad pointed out that, unlike India, where the Election Commission unnecessarily prolongs the electoral exercise, sometimes over weeks, he had ensured that the Pakistan election was conducted in a single day and results declared the next day. He feels that another point where Pakistan scores is that his staff is much tougher on bogus voting.The impartiality of the commission was indicated by the results. The Pakistan Muslim League (Q), known as the King’s Party because of its closeness to President Pervez Musharraf, was wiped out. Tea and tape Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf got into hot water for describing deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary as a ‘third rate man’ and ‘scum of the earth’ in an interview with Jemima Khan. The general has taken the usual plea in such circumstances — when a tape exists of his controversial remarks — of claiming that the interview was off the record. He may have a point. According to sources, Jemima originally sought an interview not as a journalist but to meet Musharraf to discuss the problems that the Pakistan government had created for her former husband Imran Khan. She was visiting Pakistan with her two sons so that they could meet their father. Jemima’s article for the The Independent newspaper from London is not in the question and answer format in which interviews with statesmen are usually conducted. It is a well written mood piece which incorporates some quotes from the general. Jemima focuses on the grandeur of the colonial style camp in Rawalpindi where Musharraf is based, with its high ceilings, marble floors and ornate carpets. She comments on the liveried flunkies and the handsome light-eyed personal assistant, and the ‘intimidating’ chicken vol au vents she is offered as a snack. From the drift of the conversation, it is clear that Musharraf was smitten by the spunky aristocratic beauty. Though she had demonstrated against him outside Downing Street in London while he was in a meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in January, Musharraf was very keen to convince Jemima that he was actually a nice guy. The other side George Fernandes’s magazine, The Other Side, has been revived after more than a decade and this time his faithful lieutenant Jaya Jaitley is the editor. The magazine, which was started 18 years ago to give the viewpoint of democratic socialists practicing Gandhism, folds up every time Fernandes is in government. In his letter announcing its return, Fernandes rues that he suffers from the same problem that often haunted Mahatma Gandhi, a lack of funds. Still, a loyal friend has taken a full-page ad in first issue: the Bombay Taximen’s Services Ltd. Reduced allowance The per diem allowance for senior officers in the Indian government was fixed at $75 per day at a time when the dollars was nearly Rs 50. But with the current dollar rate down to Rs 39, many in government service are pressing for a revision, with the ministry of external affairs in the forefront. So far, the finance ministry has refused to yield. Birthday benefit Unlike other Dravidian parties, the PMK has an unwritten rule that followers are not to organise sycophantic displays on the leader’s birthday, which is celebrated privately. In fact, the PMK recently issued a show-cause notice to one of its members who sent a greeting card to Dr Ramadoss’s minor granddaughter.In contrast, the entire state machinery is galvanised into action for DMK leader Karunanidhi’s birthday. Taking a leaf from his father, Karunandhi son Azhagiri also went all out last month to announce his birthday. Streamers, buntings and balloons lined the route from Madurai to Chennai. Jayalalithaa’s 60th birthday this week was also a public affair, which the whole state took note of.
