Democracy in countries like Pakistan may be defined as ‘government “off” the people “buy” the people and “far” the people.
Very few in the flawed democracies have ever thought of the need for a social change rather than maintaining the status quo through elections.
The by-polls in the provincial metropolis held on Sunday have presented a picture of life or death for the major political contestants, the ruling PML-N and major opposition party PTI. They will decide the fate of the provincial chief executive.
After the religious festival Eidul Azha that passed a couple of days ago, the by-polls were another festival for the inflation-hit masses.
The elections on Sunday have become more of a market with voters as commodities to buy or sell. All the jobless were available for free food, money and transport to present their energy, time and services. They dance, sing, chant slogans and beat the drum for the politicians who hired them.
Both the political rivals have put all their energies and strategies to make the election a victory. Weeks before the elections were announced there were large gatherings, corner meetings, road shows, public rallies and top political hierarchy to show their presence. PTI chief Imran Khan and PML-N central leader Maryam Safdar remained prominent in the game.
This is the only beauty of democracy that people have a say through voting to elect their representatives. The candidates also use their energy, money, resources, political links and all other means to manoeuver or out-manoeuver.
Elections day is the only day when politicians give weightage to all of the people of the constituency including women, youth, old people and others. They provide transport and hire unemployed youth to conduct rallies and raise slogans for that candidate.
Mohammed Waqar, a voter of a constituency, was of the view that the traditional way of the election was not much changed. The PTI chief Imran Khan has made a dent in the family system as youth have revolted against the house heads. Moreover, we see that Pakistan belongs to an area that had a feudalistic role before democracy emerged after the partition. The baradari system, political affiliations and above all personal links play an important role in the elections.
The cursory view of the election day reflects that politics is the last resort of scoundrels. Many people take the elections for fun and enjoy it by wearing new clothes, participating with their friends and presenting their volunteer services.
Muhammad Waqas, who reached the polling station with all his family members, said that he had sold all the votes for Rs10,000 last time. He smiled instead of responding to a query on his fresh rate.
Naveed Khalid, a resident of Gari Shahu, who was present on an election camp of a political party, was of the view that he had decided not to vote and party. He said that the political people usually befool the masses.
