A few ministers of ruling party PML-N proudly issued statements that their recent success in local body polls is a victory of democracy. One finds no reason to disagree and they for sure need to be congratulated. The PML-N grabbed a major portion of seats in Punjab, while PPP led in Sindh. Interestingly from 2008-13, these two parties ruled in Sindh and Punjab, but did not hold local body elections. It was on the direction of the Supreme Court that these parties reluctantly agreed to complete process of polls, and that too in three phases.
However, it is not clearly known what the criteria to select districts for different phases was. Anyway, the result of the first two phases revealed that PML-N swept the Punjab and PPP was victorious in Sindh. The leaders of two parties are happy to retain their power in their provinces and assert that their win is the victory of democracy. Ironically, a large number of independent candidates have defeated candidates of their parties and their success reflects a distrust for politicians and their parties. This requires introspection on part of the ruling parties. Firstly, they need to realise that local body elections are purely to devolve power to people at grassroots level. Secondly, these polls are held strictly under the control of provincial governments. All polling staff and administrative machinery are drawn from provinces.
The ECP has little control and despite the victory of ruling parties, the unexpected victory of independent candidates in such large numbers is alarming. The leaders ought to come out of their utopia and face reality: that the public is getting fed up of empty slogans and promises. Likewise, independent members who voluntarily or otherwise join a political party not only betray the trust of their voters but also taint the political party they join. These practices breed contempt for election as well as for political leaders and must be curbed. These complex problems need to be discussed, debated and solved in the best interest of democracy and the country. Otherwise, slogans to strengthen democracy would sound hollow.
RAJA SHAFAATULLAH
Islamabad
