THIS refers to your editorial `Army supervision` ( Oct 23). The Election Commission of Pakistan and politicalparties, therefore, opt for the army as a better alternative for ensuring free and fair elections.

The preand post-sit-in environment cast doubts on the credibility of the general election of 2013. However, the recently army-supervised by-elections in NA-246 and NA-122 have ensured transparency.

Holding local bodies election under the supervision of the armed forces simultaneously in two provinces may not be possible, owing to the army`s involvement in Zerb-i-Azb, unless we decide to conduct them in three to four stages and grouping 10 to 15 districts in every stage.

While considering deploying the army for local bodies polls, the following questions are important for both sides: a) Can the army ensure its neutrality during the polls and display the same level of control and transparency as was the case in NA 122? b) Can the government afford giving further space to the army (especially when the army`s growing popularity graph is already pinching the government)? Muhammad Razzaq Zia Karachi