We will pay the price for normalising electoral malpractices

Thursday’s by-elections held in different parts of the country offer a sobering picture of how easily campaigns slip into disorder. Reports of confrontations, accusations of bribery, and attempts to influence polling arrangements have again surfaced. These reveal a political culture where chaos is treated as a strategic asset. When intimidation becomes a routine campaign tool, it inevitably discourages qualified and ethical aspirants who prefer order, clarity, and respect for the voter.