Daily Times

A few weeks before the election, the environment around me is like a pre-wedding house. People excited, families and friends coming together for discussions albeit via the social media, people running around trying to tie up loose ends before the election. There is an environment of fanfare, anticipation and hope for the elections, which are just around the corner. The interim government is in place and the election campaign has been kicked off by political parties. The atmosphere signifies the characteristics of a wedding rather than a political process. For perhaps the first time in the history of Pakistan, elections are taking place after a full term of the democratic government, with the added element of charged youth, judicial activism and a vibrant media.

Speaking of weddings, I’m reminded of the saying that we need ‘something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue’. What do I mean? Consider.

Of something old: election. While this election may contain aspects that might be deemed as groundbreaking or landmark, there are certain features that have remained constant in every election. First of all the same old faces (with some minor transplants and Photoshop editions), which have appeared on state run and private media or have been pasted across our streets for years are again coming forward, perhaps with changed political affiliations. The exceptions of new faces are also jam-packed with the next generation of the same old political fiefdom. Individuals may have changed political parties or even their ideologies for whatever reason, but their ambition for becoming representatives of the people has not changed.

Let us take the old slogan of ‘Naya Pakistan’, which has again been put forth by Imran Khan in his latest campaign. This has been followed by an uproar from sections who have witnessed the period of Zulfiqar Bhutto. Bhutto for the first time talked about a ‘new Pakistan’. Every emerging leader has claimed to change the course of the country and its citizens and bring in reform. The fulfilment of such promises by the elected representatives is an entirely different story, but it is evident that this slogan is not as naya as it is perceived or claimed to be. Unfortunately, not all is pleasant about the old. Like the past elections, we see unholy alliances between radical (and some even banned) groups and mainstream political parties. A case in point is the electoral alliance between the former Sipah-e Sahaba Pakistan or Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Jamiat Ulema-e Islam Sami ul-Haq and Jamiat Ulema-e Pakistan under the banner of Muttahida Deeni Muhaaz. One can see the reflections of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad or Muttehida Majlis-e Amal from the previous elections.

Of something new. We should not be disheartened by all this conversation about the old patterns; there is also ‘something new’ within this election. As mentioned earlier, the presence of an active judiciary and the watchful eye of an independent media are important factors, which will impact these elections. In addition, there is a youth voter bulge, who will determine the course of this election. According to estimated figures, 47 percent of the voter list comprises of individuals below the age of 35, while 30 million youth will be casting their vote for the first time. Then there is the added scrutiny of papers by the election commission, which will also be a predicament for the political parties and contenders. What has been most interesting is the mode and method of campaigning by the political parties. For the first time the concentration has shifted from the traditional media to social media by the political parties. With more than 20 million internet users in Pakistan, the political parties are eyeing to target this segment and also the youth through social media campaigns. On the other hand, political parties have also introduced innovations in the traditional campaign modes. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf introduced a concert-like environment within their rallies, which has now been adopted by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

Something borrowed. This election has witnessed a caretaker government that has borrowed from the ranks of retired cadres, judiciary and journalists. The caretaker prime minister is a retired judge, while the caretaker chief ministers of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also retired judges. The interim chief minister in Punjab has been chosen from the ranks of the media, where a veteran journalist has been placed at the position. So much so that the chief election commissioner burdened with the responsibility of a smooth electoral process is also a retired judge. I wonder where the entire youth bulge has disappeared in all this setup. Perhaps the upcoming elections will encourage the youth to come forward and play their part in the governance of the country, so we do not have to rely on borrowed expertise.

Something blue. It seems for now that the election results might provide for the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to return to power again with the same title. He might again get the chance to wear his ‘blue’ sherwani, which he often did during his stint as a heavy-mandated prime minister.

Whatever the results may be, the successful holding of elections and a democratic transition will prove to be a ‘silver sixpence’ for Pakistan and its citizens. These elections will finally seal the deal for democracy to take hold within the country, after a history of turbulence and unconstitutional interventions, ushering in an era where citizens will actively participate in governance.

The writer is a development consultant. She tweets at @GulminaBilal and can be reached at coordinator@individualland.com