Adil Najam
Although this election remains shrouded in uncertainty, despair and gloom, it is quite clear that – one way or the other – these elections will be yet another defining moment in Pakistan’s traumatic political history.
Elections are critical because they give the citizen on opportunity to make their voice heard; to make a statement. This voice is not always heard and is sometimes not made to register, but the opportunity to do so is important unto itself. Yet, political theory also alerts us that opinion can be voiced also through silence. Statements can also be made through non-participation. In terms of elections it is as important to keep an eye on who is voting as on who is not; and why not.
This is most important in this election because the issue of whether to participate in the election or not is itself an important political issue; and each represents a different political statement. On the one hand we could argue – as Imran Khan of PTI and Qazi Hussain Ahmed of Jamaat-i-Islami have – that these elections are not free and fair and therefore should be boycotted. On the other hand it could also be argued – as both PPP and PML-N have de facto argued – that to remain out of the electoral process is itself to legitimize the process and those who believe in democracy cannot really afford to be against elections, even if they are against the autocrats organizing the elections.
Both views are thought provoking and worthy of serious thought. What do you think about this question of whether to vote or not?
To make the case for each proposition, here are two views. The first from analyst Nasim Zehra, arguing that people must vote in this elections. The second from politician Imran Khan arguing against voting.
First, Nasim Zehra, writing in The News:
Why Must We Vote
… Our vote is the only lever of change we have in our hands. A revolution is not around the corner that will change our state of affairs, neither is a perfect messiah arriving for our deliverance. Those of us who are here and who care, which means all of us, must go and strengthen the democratic system by voting. That is the first crucial step to start the birth of a new Pakistan where the Constitution and rule of law will reign supreme, no individuals and no institutions. Already since March 9 those who destroyed the judiciary are greatly weakened and discredited.
Casting our vote is a first necessary step in a system which is full of problems, yet for now this is what we have. This is an interim step in a transition stage. We believe there can be no genuine democracy with a destroyed judiciary, so let’s take this step in the spirit that this will take us closer to our final objective. We are only inching ahead maybe, and that too in a very treacherous environment, but we must. Pakistan needs us to stand up and be counted. Just sitting around and criticising will not do. Boycotting, unless in complete unison by all political parties, too is not a potent tool. We must use the lever which is in our control–let us vote.
Now, Imran Khan writing in the Daily Times:
A Vote Against Voting
… elections by themselves don’t bring democracy. Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, loves elections. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been holding elections for 27 years. Uzbekistan’s Islam Karimov has been in power for 30 years, and has just been “elected†to a fresh seven-year presidential term. Elections are meaningful only if they are perceived to be free and fair, which requires independent referees.
… Unfortunately, most of the political parties have failed to stand up for the democratic process. Major parties like the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have decided to participate, following the lead of the late Benazir Bhutto’s People’s Party. And, of all the major parties that are contesting the election, only the PMLN is demanding the reinstatement of the judges…. So the dividing line in Pakistan is not between liberals and extremists, but between those who support the status quo and those who oppose it. Parties that call themselves democratic are not only going along with Musharraf in this fraudulent election, but are also helping to restore the status quo.
So, what do you think? To vote or not to vote?
Maximum turnout, IMHO, is an effective way to reduce rigging chances. It’d leave little room for casting bogus votes.
Remember, it’s the people’s voice and protests that made Mush come this far: retiring, having elections. There’s still a long road ahead (restoring CJ) and casting vote (be it any party) is essential for that. There’s a difference between a landslide and a 51:49 victory. “Langri Looli jamhoriat jaisi bhi hai, amriyat se behtar hai”.
Will lower turnout means no credibility for the elections? It means Musharraf does not have support of its public and cannot be trusted but will this alone change everything? No, not really. But it can be a good way of protesting. Protest by not participating. Because our leaders will not care about respect, dignity, or credibility but history will respect our opinion. Numbers don’t bring complete picture but they bring good chunk of it. 10 to 15% turnout will be a slap on the face of dictatorship. They can forge that too but they cannot forge history. From 10 to 20 years from now if history books would say that Pakistani public completely boycotted the elections then it would bring our hostilities against tyrannical regimes at least in the annals of history.
Hazrat Imam Hussain lost his life in Karbala but his sacrifice still shows us the face of evil. Socrates also drank the cup of poison and accept death but his stance will never die. Winning or losing does not matter. Our boycott may not make any difference today but it will make difference tomorrow. It would tell the whole world that Pakistanis are not ready to stand with anything which is unconstitutional or against the law. It would tell our future generations that we can stand for the rule of law.
Our kids would definitely ask us that why we are not going to vote when everybody else is going? But we need to tell them that we cannot participate in anything which would take our country to another term of destruction.
It is not as black and white as I put it. It is tough decision to not vote. I do not know whether next time I would have chance to vote or not but it is a matter of principle. Rather I would recommend all to go to the polling stations and cancel your vote so no one else can go and stamp it.
We need to understand the difference an individual can make. The flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil can set off a storm in Texas. Isn’t that an amazing statement? Physicists call this theory “The Butterfly Effect” to explain how the breeze produced by a butterfly’s wings could set of a series of reverberations that over time have a tremendous affect on weather patterns thousands of miles away. Now imagine the impact of millions of butterflies…
It is a tough decision. No doubt but we need series of tough decision to move out of these tumultuous times. Our silence will break the shackles Inshallah. At least I believe my silence, my hatred for this mockery of democratic process would make a difference. And I urge all of Pakistanis to believe that their anger would make difference. All good things come to light and they will one day, I believe.
yes vote!
vote for any candidate other than one from PPP, or ML (any alphabet)
I agree with what Zafar said in the comment before mine.
Though I am totally in favour of boycott of elections but I must admit the point of view of Nasim Zehra that a boycott unless in complete unison of all the plitical parties, will not help rather it is going to help those against whom the boycott is meant.
Political parties, all of them, are too power hungry to come together and boycott completely. Someone somewhere will find a way to go against it, “rassi tura kar bhage ga” we have seen these incidents in the last few months.
We must vote and regardless the person wins or not, we must vote to the right candidate who does not embazle national exchaquer and does not misuse the powers he/she gets. This probably will not happen this time and probably will not happen soon but it will happen if the democracy process keep on going without any intruption.