The local government elections have passed leaving behind a trail of old mantra of rigging and irregularities. The winners are two incumbent ruling parties – PPP in Sindh and Muslim League in Punjab and federal area. It has been observed that many prominent politicians have been defeated in local body polls and have alleged rigging. For example, former Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah of incumbent federal government upon his defeat accused the ECP staff of wrongdoings and said, “I am a victim of party politics and technical rigging.” He further stated that the PM should learn from past mistake and not let such things happen.
These remarks lend support to the accusations of a third political party whose leaders never tire of levelling charges of rigging. However, people have grown scared of listening to such allegations on TV talk shows and press conference. Another worrisome trend in the local body elections was that the second most seats were won by independents who defeated nominees of political parties. Their victory does not indicate that roots of democracy are getting any stronger. The ruling parties have to realise that not only local elections have no bearing on national polls, but also win of large numbers of independents candidates in local body elections is a sort of no confidence on them. It also allows the menace of horse trading and buying of independents candidates to emerge again.
The ruling party has rights to enjoy benefits of these polls, but their leaders do not have the right to lure independents to join their parties and claim exclusive right to represent whole nation. Such tactics often prove counterproductive. Both winning parties need to find out ways and means to strengthen their parties on democratic footing than allowing independents join their parties and cause dent in democratic system. Now that elections have been held, both provincial and federal government need to empower and solve their issues at local level rather than interfere in their affairs by releasing funds to lawmakers for development projects and create a rift between the two.
RAJA SHAFAATULLAH
Islamabad
