Devolve some power too
If, according to a certain segment of the media, Imran Khan has indeed announced holding local bodies’ elections in KPK in November, the news should be appreciated as a step in the right direction. The November 15 deadline, set by the Supreme Court, is not very far. And even as the government and opposition make the case for democracy in and out of the House, the priority they accord to local bodies betrays a degree of disregard for the institution in its true essence, which eventually plays to the advantage of those allegedly protesting against sham democracy.
Not too long ago, all parties promised to introduce systems of local democracy in their election campaigns, yet the proof of the pudding lies in the eating, and nothing intrinsic has been done so far. In reality, most of these parties are ‘run’ by power blocs around whom the rest of the structure revolves, and these leaders, seemingly, are still unwilling to give up the centralisation-of-power model that benefits them in many ways, not the lest being keeping a tight hold on lucrative infrastructural and development projects. The old system also provides a far better mechanism of holding on to power and discouraging emergence of opposition groups, especially in times like the present when political waters are rough, and doubts about the central government completing its ‘contract’ are spreading by the day.
Much like the most prominent political parties were advocating last year, decentralisation of power to the grassroots can help improve social and civic services, thereby strengthening democracy. Yet this simple logic seems lost on our political masters as soon as they settle down in their respective provincial and central government seats following the election. Despite their resistance, LG polls must be held, and it must also be made sure that power is devolved properly to the grassroots. Common people have suffered far too long because of the neglect of politicians. Now, as they fight for the ‘system’, and are prepared to go any length to keep democracy from being ‘derailed’, the local bodies will act as a crucial litmus test for their sincerity and credibility.
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