Election shenanigans

When elections approach, we see an upsurge in political party activity designed to achieve a boost at polls.

When elections approach, we always see an upsurge in political party activity. It has come this time, too — with much of it rather obviously designed to achieve a boost at polls and draw in those votes which so suddenly achieve crucial significance at such times.

So, what have we been seeing? Let’s take the past few weeks alone. The prime minister, as he reaches the end of his current tenure in office, decided to ignore a ban on providing gas connections to captive power plants for the gas industry. The move is obviously one intended to gain electoral support. The petroleum ministry had allowed new connections for only the domestic and commercial sector, and there had been previous resignations over the issue. Captive power plants, installed within industries, have been deemed notoriously inefficient by experts. The prime ministerial decision, which has raised something of a storm, is clearly intended as a popularity-gaining measure.

There are other moves just like it. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, which has made waves around the world, is one. Yes, the venture is a good one. It could meet the most vital needs of our country. But the fact that the inauguration took place days before assemblies are due to be dissolved raises the question of whether this is an electoral ploy. Most would say it is. And the same holds true for other pieces of legislation, such as the bill banning corporal punishment at school, pushed through during the very last days of government.



Similar, “pre-poll” activities have been seen elsewhere. In Punjab, a frenzied effort has continued over the last few weeks to complete development work, including the metro bus service in Lahore and a series of road-works initiated in the city. There was obvious concern that if these were left unfinished, it would cost the PML-N government votes as people struggled with dug-up roads, junctions and fly-overs, resulting in massive traffic logjams.

The completion of development initiatives, the pushing through of mega-projects like the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline are, of course, all good for the people. It is, therefore, good news they have been turned into reality. But it is unfortunate that political parties take them up only so late into the day, and in so obvious a fashion. After all, people are not stupid and can recognise “ruses” of this kind. Parties would do themselves much more good by working towards particular ends from the first — initiating moves in the form of legislation and other measures so that these can continue through their term. They must realise that, in the eyes of people, this would win them much more respect and also popularity, proving that they genuinely wish to better the lives of people and not just conduct measures which bring them votes. All parties, notably those who hold government in one place or the other, need to think about this and plan now for the future.

We have seen similar tactics enacted by them in every election. Today, we are told, funds are being doled out to put other steps in place to give parties an edge. This is not the right way to handle matters. Much of what we are seeing now could have come earlier, months earlier, years earlier. This would have given the parties far greater credit, and also demonstrated before people their genuine commitment to work for them. At present, this commitment appears largely to be lacking and this is, perhaps, the greatest flaw of our democracy. To make it stronger, to make it more durable and to build more faith in it, in the eyes of people this needs to be corrected. The political parties must take a leading role in this, and by doing so show that they are truly interested in the citizenry and not just in collecting slips of stamped paper dropped into steel ballot boxes.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.