Our Elections and Their Upshot

Doubtless, righteous and able people also succeed in these elections, but they are so small in number that their presence in the arena, where the game of numbers is played, does not prove a battle winning factor.

No country, today, can claim honor and dignity in the comity of nations until its political leadership is an outcome of fair, free and just elections, wherein its people participate without any fear and discrimination, be it based on race, language or religion. The process of election, its modalities and tenure can, naturally, vary from country to country, given the prevalent social, geographical and other imperatives. The basic theme is, however, that people must not be ruled against their free will and collective wisdom. That is why the majority of the countries attaches great importance to the regular conduct of elections, and they are watched worldwide with keen interest.

In this backdrop, our constitution comprehensively deals with the monumental task of elections. It vividly provides for the appointment of the Election Commissioner, the organization of the Election Commission and the relating rules for the conduct of elections. The Election Commission has been assigned a very clear and unequivocal task: to conduct the election and make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with the law, and that the corrupt practices are guarded against.

Our constitution also lays down stringent criteria that ensure that only well-reputed, sagacious, honest and non-profligate persons may be allowed to participate in the election. In other words, the constitutional provisions effectively guard against morally indiscreet and reckless elements who may pose a serious threat to our national integrity under the guise of politicians. The contents of the constitution pertaining to the elections, therefore, appear to be impressive and can be articulated at any forum with national pride.

After having read these constitutional provisions, a reader who is ignorant of the ground realities aptly thinks that the elections in Pakistan must be the most exemplary in the democratic world and through these elections, the people must be having a remarkable opportunity to choose the men who are the best, morally as well as intellectually, among them. Does it happen in reality? Unfortunately, the answer is not in the affirmative. The reality is that in our elections, the winning candidate is the one:

• Who has become enormously rich, through fair and unfair means, and spends it likewise in pursuit of his ambitious designs.
• Who has a populous clan at his back to support him, regardless of his moral and social profile.
• Who exercises a great influence in the local administration through his resources and widespread tentacles.
• Who can terrorize around with his band of armed guards.
• Who has links with land and other mafias.
• Who does not discern between right and wrong and lawful and unlawful in his personal conduct and dealings.
• Who canreadily change his political affiliations.
• Who is duly qualified and experienced in ‘Ghondagardi’.
• Who does not budge from using unlawful means in the elections.
• And who is, above all, more loyal to his foreign masters than his mother-land.

If, generally, people with these traits successfully make their way to the parliament and power corridors, then how come we expect a political scene any different from the one which is prevalent? Doubtless, righteous and able people also succeed in these elections, but they are so small in number that their presence in the arena, where the game of numbers is played, does not prove a battle winning factor. Here, the pertinent questions are:

• Are the constitutional provisions not sufficient to organize the elections commensurate with our national aspirations?
• Is the Election Commission, the ultimate institution to hold the elections, not adequately equipped and geared-up, in terms of men and material, to ensure fair and free elections, or, it has been politicized and rendered to conduct engineered elections only?
• Has our state lost its writ and, thus, the incapacitated administration has become a tool in the hands of criminals?
• Or, on the other hand, the people, in general, have no good judgment whatsoever to choose the persons worthy of leadership at the national level?
• Or, the outcome of the elections is nothing but the true reflection of our national character and it would continue to remain the same until the people themselves rise and strive for a positive change?
• Or, the genuine mandate of the people is sabotaged and the fake leadership, fabricated by their masters, is installed in the name of so-called elected representatives of the people?
• Do the elections really help in choosing the best of the people who can lead a nation to its cherished goal?
• Are our political parties knowingly party to this quandary or they are not mature enough to gauge the gravity of the situation the nation is confronted with?
• Are there any other democratic alternatives to the elections in vogue?
• And, for how long can we afford to continue with this dilemma to ever be able to choose an upright, honest and able leadership through this type of elections?

These are the questions commonly raised. The answers are so diverse and different that the national consensus seems far remotely placed. What should then be done? Obviously, the very idea of elections can not be done away with for the understandable reasons: the hawkish elements sitting on the fence are already looking for opportune moments.

To successfully affect a radical change in the outcome of the elections, commensurate with the national aspirations, a comprehensive and all-embracing campaign needs to be undertaken. The initial earnest steps, may be:

• The election procedures be re-examined thoroughly and the loopholes be thrashed forcefully at all appropriate forums.
• The vital importance of casting vote and the negligence in this regard be given nation-wide propagation.
• The negative and destructive forces under the guise of so-called politicians and their masters be exposed everywhere.
• The genuine political cadre and upright and patriotic leadership be supported with all available and possible means.

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