Day of decision

What happens today will decide our immediate future, hopefully for the next five years. Intense games of number crunching are, of course, on everywhere; predictions vary — and naturally, we are all very interested in who the winner will be, or what coalition-forming moves could lie ahead. This, of course, is significant, but perhaps most important of all is the fact that this election is being held. It is a truly historic one, marking the first constitutional transition of power from one democratically-elected government to another. We must hope and pray this sets the trend for the future in a nation that has through its history struggled to hold on to democracy and evade authoritarian rule. Perhaps, 2013 will mark the start of a new era for all of us.



But for this to happen, it is imperative that as many people as possible come out to vote and make their voices heard through the ballot. This would prove that democracy is indeed a viable system for our country. Again and again we have heard the myth perpetuated that Pakistan is, for some reason or the other, not suited to democratic rule and fares better under dictatorships. This, of course, simply makes no sense at all. We need to prove that democracy is indeed the system for all of us by ensuring a high turnout on this polling day. It is also important that the balloting takes place wisely and with the exercise of maturity. Political parties must play their part in this. We do not want to see skirmishes at polling stations or battles between rival groups of supporters. There has been far too much violence during the campaign already. The fear is that this may keep people away from polling. But doing so would amount to giving in to anti-democratic forces, such as the Taliban, given that this is precisely what they wish to achieve. We, therefore, desperately need to see long lines at polling stations and filled ballot boxes at closing time so that we can say with pride that our people support our democratic system at all costs and cannot be easily frightened away from it.

There are, of course, many factors to consider in this election. But the focus should be on the right to free choice and to making it clear what we want for our future through the ballot. This is what May 11, 2013 should be all about. The importance of this process cannot be undermined and we must not let anyone attempt to do so. This has, of course, held true in the run-up to the poll. It should hold true afterwards as well.

For too long, Pakistan has teetered on the brink of democratic disaster with each period of elected government, ending in an array of problems. 2013 marks the first time this has not happened. We need to celebrate this success. This can happen only if ballots are cast in large numbers everywhere across the country and the results then accepted without dispute or bitter argument. It is also significant that in this election, for the first time, groups who have not participated before in the process will be taking part. In Kohistan, an agreement has been reached between tribes in this highly conservative district that women will for the first time be allowed to go out and cast their ballots. From other tribal areas, female candidates are contesting polls in a brave defiance of the militants, and minority groups, such as the Hazaras, too, hope it can change their lives forever. The importance of minority votes is being rated as high by many analysts as the process of counting potential seats continues.

What is needed is our goodwill and support. Lots of inked thumbs must be seen around the country by this evening. This is what is best for the future of our country and all of its people.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2013.