Why vote?

On the eve of a historic election that will mark only the second democratic transition of power in the country’s history — nothing seems to be going right. Not a single institution of state is free from allegations of kowtowing to one power or another. In the midst of all this the people of Pakistan are being asked to go to the polls and decide the fate of their country. That will only happen if the people understand why it is important for them to go out and vote. After all, the chances of your vote actually affecting the election results are minimal at best, and if you are an economist then the costs clearly outweigh any potential benefits. So why vote at all?

The generic arguments for voting (civic duty, it is a privilege, etc) are well known, and to be honest could be applied to any person asking that question in any country. So my point in this piece isn’t to reiterate those arguments, it is to consider others, as well as, some specific to Pakistan.

First, democracy in Pakistan is still a fragile concept that needs the legitimacy of a strong overall voter turnout. A glance at international media shows that it is churning out piece after piece questioning whether democracy in Pakistan is sustainable given the atmosphere surrounding these elections. Such arguments can only be countered by a large voter turnout. Furthermore, for a country that has lived so much of its life under dictatorship, a large voter turnout is a necessary symbol of civilian supremacy by the people to those that may oppose democracy in the country. If you subscribe to the view that the establishment, foreign powers, or aliens are influencing the elections to get their way, then there is no better way to signal that it is these people that decide the country’s fate, not voting. Because by not voting, you would simply be capitulating to those who benefit from a fragile democracy. The establishment of any country likes things the way they are, and therefore, don’t want you to come and vote to change things. Think about it: if your vote didn’t matter why would they fight so hard to prevent it from happening?

Conversely, if you think all this talk of the establishment manipulating elections is delusional nonsense, well, then show everyone that your party won on the strength of a large voter turnout and grant legitimacy to the entire process. Argue your case through the ballot rather than social media.

Second, let’s say you live in a constituency in which you believe, according to the media, the result is a foregone conclusion, and see your vote as a futile exercise in the face of the inevitable. What you need to understand is that the experts, the surveys, the pundits can be wrong. They cannot accurately predict voter turnout, so your vote may hold more sway in the larger picture than you think. Consider the 2016 presidential elections in the United States: it wasn’t that Trump expanded the Republican voter base, it was rather that Hilary Clinton’s voters just didn’t show up to the polls. One reason for this was because most of the Americans, including Trump himself according to some sources, thought there was no chance of Trump winning and the election was a foregone conclusion. They were of course wrong.

Third, the margin of victory matters. A candidate winning by the skin of their teeth knows what a precarious position he is in come the next election. If a returning candidate knows that he scratched and clawed his way to a seat in parliament he will be mindful that he needs to perform and make himself a better candidate for the future. Research by Luke Sonnet and Ibrahim Khan indicates that in a constituency in which there was a large voter turnout and a slim margin of victory, tax payments by candidates actually increased.

Besides these factors, we need to be aware that voting isn’t just about the final results. There is a broader moral goal that is secured by the act of going to the polling station and casting your vote. Voting is a task that one does for the greater good of the community, and there are few acts devoid of pure self-interest like it. It is an act of solidarity with the members of our community geared towards the common good. Sitting at home isn’t going to help you or anyone, so why not vote and be a part of something bigger than yourself?

But what if you hate and despise every candidate on the ballot paper? What if you think all the political parties are loathsome and don’t deserve your time? If you enjoy your symbolism, you could still go to the polls and doodle on the ballot paper. If not, yes you can stay at home and laugh at the people going to the polls, but, there is still time. Have you really looked at the party manifestos of all parties? Are you sure you know all the candidates in your constituency? If not, why not do some research and make the best possible choice that can be made in the circumstances? Your vote is secret after all. The fact is that your vote matters. It may not be the single vote that swings the election one way or another, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold weight. Your participation may help in a large voter turnout that may strengthen democracy in Pakistan. It is the empowering act that says you have a voice in how things will be done in this country. We can all take some time out of our lives to cast a vote. It is a small price to pay for the larger benefit of legitimising our democracy. It is a signal to terrorists that come out of their holes during the election season that we will not be cowed into staying at home. It is your right, go use it. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2018.

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