Daily Times

The countdown to the 2018 general elections in Pakistan has started with political parties dusting-up election manifestos, sprucing up slogans and activating electoral strategies. However, the upcoming elections won’t bring about transformative change. In fact, voters will probably go through the same cycle of hope and disillusionment. However, choosing a government through the ballot box is the only mechanism towards the possibility of good governance, inclusiveness, the rule of law, justice, and political and media freedoms. Pakistan’s deeply flawed elitist democracy still sets the country apart from more established states struggling under fake democracies and authoritarian control.

Eligible voters participating in free and fair elections serve as the bulwark against Pakistan’s fundamentally extractive system which includes an inbred autocracy, expensive military establishment, and social inequality. Elections offer a rare chance for the electorate to press for a fairer political and economic deal, in the face of challenges imposed by the selfish, self-perpetuating and parasitic elite. While the specter of violent change always exists, democratic elections are the best hope to combat religious groups who seek to hold the state hostage. Past elections in Pakistan involving mainstream political parties did help the people reject obscurantism and oppression.

Regrettably, recent undemocratic interventions have effectively pushed-back the minor democratic gains concerning institutional parity achieved after the end of the Musharraf regime in 2008.Pre-election political engineering meant to preserve the status quo reflects the elitist distrust of a popular mandate. The lifetime ban on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif removes an obstacle to the unfettered control by un-elected forces while preserving the illusion of legitimate elections. Another example is limiting electoral choices under the guise of searching for ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’ (honest and righteous) political candidates. After all, politicians are a reflection of the society they represent.

Elections don’t guarantee food on the table or a job, but they will hold out a promise of freedom and peace in the future

Like other nascent democracies, the main structural and perception issues that Pakistani democracy faces are the institutional checks and balances inherent in a democratic system that hinder swift, decisive action. There is also the tendency, between elections, for political parties to pander to their hard-core activists and neglect the populace as a whole. Politicians find it difficult to shake off electoral politics and get complex jobs done more efficiently. The voting public wants quick results on their primary concerns such as jobs, inflation, law and order and the energy crisis. Voters legitimately question the effectiveness of the democratic system itself when they see little progress on their core issues.

Managed democracies and dictatorships don’t need to worry about institutional checks and balances. They easily manipulate the institutional and legal framework since they do not need a political coalition for passing or repealing laws. They appear superior to democracies operating through expediency without the people’s will entering the equation. However, voters are able to review the performance of democratic governments and hold them accountable at the end of their term in office. This important tool is unavailable in a managed democracy or dictatorship.

The voters must resist any attempt to thwart or impede democracy. Elected governments require the people’s mandate on a regular basis. Elections ought to continue uninterrupted to ensure greater transparency. Moreover, constitutions and systems continually evolve. Powerful institutions treading into the domain of other institutions and overstepping their constitutional limits restrict democratic progress. These interventions need urgent and meaningful attention. The rule of law, constitutional limits, transparent and across the board accountability and tolerance for criticism and adherence to human rights are critical elements that constitute a vibrant democracy.

Political scientist and diplomat Alexis de Tocqueville rightly said: “The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” Additionally, social movements and political action by ordinary citizens are often the sources of most meaningful political reform.  Hopefully, people enlarge their understanding of the democratic process and become more public-spirited through participating in elections. All indicators suggest that Pakistanis remain passionate supporters of democracy. Nevertheless, they remain increasingly frustrated with their leadership for breaking its promises time after time.

The upcoming election is an opportunity for Pakistanis to utilise their vote to help shape the country’s outlook. A managed or guided political structure denies voters this prospect. Elections don’t guarantee food on the table or a job, but they will hold out a promise of freedom and peace in the future. Pakistan has to embarkon important reforms to reduce bureaucracy, attract more investment and encourage the growth that creates jobs. A stable political system and a state at peace with itself can only come about if an elected leadership sets political goals and has oversight over the deployment of military means. Furthermore, only transparent, effective and accountable institutions can truly serve the people. Also, an empowered civil society and a free press strengthen democracy. Even as the country confronts security threats such as terrorism, it needs to uphold the universal values of tolerance, inclusivity, and freedom of speech that religious militants seek to destroy. It is not going to be easy.

The writer can be reached at shgcci@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, April 21^st 2018.