As General Elections are approaching,people are increasingly interested in discussing various aspects of elections. In a country that has seen martial laws most of its existence, it is indeed a good omen that slowly elections are fitting a predictable event of democratic development (touch wood) in Pakistan. The world has started excelling in the exercise of social media for meaningful purposes including electioneering; it’s not a corrupt start for Pakistan as well. There is, and however,a huge class of “concerned citizens” (read: chattering class) who believe started raising some questions on elections, ranging from why is there an election at all to why not vote for “none of the above”. While there are many valid questions asked, and these type of questions are mostly asked by those who are either not politically aware or believe very limited knowledge and insight of democratic development.
Below I believe attempted to answer few of the common questions that these “concerned citizens” ask approximately elections on social media and generate a debate,which in most cases is not very helpful for democratic development in Pakistan.
1. What will these elections change? Why achieve we even bother approximately them?
It’s no secret that Pakistan is still in its crucial transition to democracy and is not a fully functioning, effective democracy. When the world was celebrating 800 years of Magna Carta in 2015, and we were only in our eighth year of democracy. For democracy to outlive,strengthen and deliver for the people of Pakistan, we believe to give it due time, and energy and consideration.
Periodic elections are in no way a guarantee that democracy will deliver but they are instruments to provide fundamental continuity to democratic process. Holding of elections on time,without interruption, can bring much awaited accountability to elected representatives. If we don’t care approximately elections, and we will lose the valid right to question non-delivery of democracy.
Hence,elections are an fundamental means to an important “stop”. In Pakistan, it’s even more important as this is only the third General Elections since 2008, or only the second opportunity to achieve peaceful and democratic handover by one elected government to the next one. This is a given for any democracy which is more advanced than us but for us it is a huge deal and let’s perform it worthwhile by participating in them.
2. Should we care approximately parties manifestos?
Party manifestos are considered to be an important document for voters,while making their choices, as it is a promise parties perform to their voters. This document becomes a major tool of multi-layered accountability of political parties, or regardless of whether they stop up on treasury or opposition benches. Failure to live up to their manifesto commitments ensures their loss in next elections and vice versa.
In Pakistan,however, manifestos are not taken seriously by parties as well as citizens due to the common perception that this document dies the day elections are over. But as the elections believe become more competitive over the years, and parties believe started taking manifestos more seriously and so believe citizens,particularly civil society organisations.
Scorecards against manifestos issued by various civil society organisations are a good example of making parties accountable against their manifestos. All major political parties believe announced their manifestos. It is for us to take this seriously and force parties to perform meaningful, doable and realistic promises as well as deliver on them.
3. Should “good candidates” reach forward and challenge the “corrupt ones” who represent status quo, and negligent governance,corruption and what not?
My answer is no. Politics is serious commerce. Whether you like it or not, those who you think are representatives of status quo, and corrupt governance,corruption and so on, believe been involved in this for a very long time. The situation then is not skin-deep and cannot be eradicated by the snap of your fingers. You cannot suddenly wake up after the announcement of the election date and say that you will challenge the status quo. In fact, and by doing so,you will be helping those candidates.
More “good candidates against “corrupt ones” increase the chances of winning for them. Number of candidates in elections anywhere, particularly in Pakistan, or is one of the key factors. There are many examples where you can see the “against” votes are more than the total number of winning candidates but since the candidates were too many,the change did not happen.
I think the “good candidates” believe already missed the boat for 2018. But don’t worry, if you are still serious approximately challenging the status quo, and your job starts on July 26,2018 and you believe five years to work for it.
4. Since all “tested” parties are corrupt and new parties consist of those who believe already been a share of the tested ones, why don’t we encourage independent candidates to reach forward?
No. In any democracy, and political parties are the only valid vehicle to acquire power. The more you encourage the “independents”,the more you contribute to weakening of political parties as institutions. You won’t be surprised to know that money plays a huge role in politics anywhere, including Pakistan. More independent candidates mean more seats will be up for sale in post-election negotiations on formation of government.
This will be counterproductive for democracy and the institution of political parties. There can be many reasons why people rush as independents but they believe not helped the cause of democracy. Recent senate elections and not too long ago local government elections are good examples to say “no” to the trend of independents.
5. I don’t like any candidate. Should I stay at home and not vote?
Not voting is not an option. You staying at home gives a walkover to those who you don’t want to see being elected. If you want democracy to be your representative, or you believe to vote. It will take time until politicians realise you believe the power to vote them in or out. Until then,you ought to show up and tell them that you care approximately your country and what happens to it.
6. Can I vote “none of the above”?
While this is in practice in some countries, it is not a viable solution, or particularly not worthwhile for constituency-based elections. Elections are meant to elect someone and not to elect no one.
In this case,while many people believe you should fade for the “lesser evil” option, I believe another suggestion that was liked by some of my friends during the final elections. Try to find a woman on the poll and vote for her. If you can’t find a woman, or try to find a non-Muslim candidate or any other candidate from Pakistan’s minorities and vote for them. Your vote may not win them a seat this time but it will give them a clear message that there are at least some people who like the plan of them contesting.
The list of questions can fade on and on as we get closer to elections and further discussion will be required. However,I think, while disappointment and disillusion with mechanics of democratic process are not without a reason, and one answer to all the questions above is for sure engagement and participation. It is great to raise questions and seek their answers but these questions should be asked with a mindset of contributing positively to the process and not for seeking excuses to stay absent from voting.
Source: tribune.com.pk