Feb 8 verdict: anthropology and aftermath
The writer is a senior journalist presently working with Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Pakistan’s premier think tank working under the GOP’s National Security Division. He can be reached at iamehkri@gmail.com
A Bollywood flick of 1989, Main Azaad Hoon, starring Amitabh Bachchan has many parallels to draw in what is happening in Pakistan these days. Lyricist Kaifi Azmi was apt as he penned the theme song, Itne Baazu Itne Sar… (So many hands, so many heads…) and this is what makes me nostalgic as I recall the massive turnout that made history on February 8. That cine-screen depiction was, perhaps, emulated by Pakistanis who rallied for the sanctity of vote, by dumping behind lethargy, repression and fear of the unknown to make their presence felt on the state canvas. That pertained to awareness and eagerness of the semi-literate nation to make a choice in adversity, and that too in an environment where freedom of expression and association was scuttled. It was, likewise, a tribute to Imran Khan’s struggle for the emancipation of his fellow countrymen to stand tall and get counted, as his party’s candidates won hands down.
The February 8 elections have released momentous energy. It has rightly channelised the anger and ambitions of the people through the ballot. It would be mindless, and even suicidal, not to value this tangible talent and potential of the nation. As per laws of energy, that vitality cannot be lost. It will keep on changing its dynamics, forms and manifestations to never wither away. This is where our future national priorities should rest to reform the system and take it to next levels of excellence. Recognising the ballot will surely undermine the tendency to resort to bullet, and that is how civilised nations have evolved and prospered.
This election has drawn its synergies from social media, apt use of technology and articulate tapping of societal space for dissemination of information to the targeted audience. At the same time, the state-run media and almost all of the private channels and newspapers lost their space, and rating as far as public interest is concerned. This brought to the fore a specific point i.e. doctored or funneled news and views are taken with a pinch of salt, and the masses do possess the required intelligence to differentiate between wheat and chaff. Thus, tampering of information, suppressing happenings and maneuvering ground realities are texts of the past, and the same draw retribution from the people as they go on to exercise their vociferous opinion.
It would be an interesting synopsis to see what the statistics are as far as education and outreach to mediums of information are concerned. The country of 240 million people with 128 million voters has a literacy rate of 62.8%; and among them 45% have access to a smartphone with around 87 million Internet users. Likewise, 72 million have their fingers on social media – 13 million on Instagram, 25.3 million on TikTok, 43 million on Facebook and 53 million on WhatsApp.
With more than 60% of people under 30 – aware of their rights and priorities – going to the polls, the 2024 election was a referendum of sorts. Though the Election Commission is yet to disclose the turnout statistics, it goes without saying that had the polling time been extended by at least two hours, it would have surpassed 70%.
So what lessons need to be drawn in all humility? The people are conscious to the core of what is going around them, and have found the art of speaking through technology and the ballot, despite well-entrenched discrepancies in the system. The way to go for them is pluralism, as they are unmindful of indoctrinations and have shunned prejudices. They can read between the lines to differentiate between truth and propaganda, and keep a choice of their own close to their chest.
With this magnitude of consciousness and political maturity, it is the right time for electoral reforms premised on a digital format by undoing the men-driven jaundiced electoral commissions. Mandatory voting of all, as we possess one of the best database systems in the world, coupled with a growing index of Internet users, can rewrite history. Societal awareness for rights has overwhelmed the demerits of illiteracy, and it is a big change to be reckoned with. February 8 has set the ball rolling in terms of overcoming slumber. Any effort to obstruct the momentum and passion will be ill-advised.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2024.
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