By-polls and then?

The by-elections on Sunday have hinted at the electorates’ mood for a change. The narrative of former prime minister Imran Khan to go in for general elections is making inroads. If celebrations and turnout in the PTI camp are any criterion, the country is gearing up for some hectic political activity, and what makes it more interesting to watch is the anticipatory call for a long march on the federal capital — something that Imran Khan, at a post-election victory presser, says will not happen beyond March. The PTI’s winning streak at the ballot box is unchecked, as it managed to retain six of the eight National Assembly seats it contested, and added two Punjab Assembly seats to its bandwagon as a bonus. This comes close on the heels of 15 Punjab Assembly seats swept in July, which slipped the Punjab power back to PTI. Sunday’s loss of two seats for the lower house, especially of Multan being contested by the daughter of the party’s secretary general, is the only setback. And, the Malir seat grabbing by the PPP is the only surprise of the day.

The by-elections have meanwhile showed that the grand ruling alliance, PDM, is dysfunctional by all means, and the battering of JUI-F, ANP, PPP and PML-N repeatedly at polls is now the writing on the wall. While PML-N managed to win back its Sheikhupura provincial seat, it was the only consolation it could cherish. The fact that the party now at the helm of affairs at the federation didn’t feel like formally campaigning hints at the lethargy that has set in. A decent crowd puller though, party’s vice president Mariam Nawaz was nowhere to be seen addressing any corner meetings to woo the voters in the run-up to the polls even though two National Assembly and three Punjab Assembly seats were up for grabs.

The electoral machinery and political parties deserve commendation for ensuring a peaceful ballot, with little or no hiatus, and especially the people who kept the spirit of adult franchise alive. Returning to cast votes time and again leads to marginalisation, and this aspect must be borne in mind as the Election Commission opts for piecemeal elections on select seats, as and when they turn vacant. Last but not least, these elections are literally not serving any purpose as they are immune to any change of order at times when people are bogged down with severe economic issues, and disenfranchised to the core.

The million-dollar question now is: will Imran Khan decide to go back to the parliament or not? Secondly, will he take oath on six of the seats he has won, or will opt for a delaying mechanism just like Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, MPA, dragged it for months and months? In case the PTI chairman decides to resign, will the ECP again call by-polls? This unending probable matrix is leading us nowhere but to more chaos and instability. A way out sooner than later has to be found.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2022.

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