General elections in 2007 are on the cards. But so far there is neither any sign nor any strategy to conduct free and fair elections. The history of elections in Pakistan is full of bitter experiences of winning polls through under the table means, frequent change of loyalties and political deals to safeguard vested interests. It is really tragic that only the elections of 1970 can be called transparent after the creation of Pakistan. But these elections were held under the aegis of a man in khaki, who had his own axe to grind. However, these impartial polls could not suit Pakistan's disputatious political atmosphere thick with tension, which tore the nation apart and led to the country's dismemberment.

Before and after disintegration, horse-trading and rigging became the norm. Some elections were held under the surveillance of army on non-party basis. But these polls stained the sanctity of democratic institutions and derailed their foundations by not permitting democracy to take firm roots. Unfortunately, our democratic institutions have not progressed even at a snail's pace since the birth of Pakistan.

Young generations are the true assets of any nation. Only the youth having high spirits can bring any positive change, which is painful, venomous and a mortal threat to the landlords. It can drive last nail in the coffin of feudalism. There is nothing wrong with our present queer baits. They are the successors of the same energetic vanguard who carved out Pakistan on the map of the world within short duration of seven years by marching towards their goal with indomitable will and dauntless courage under the auspices of sagacious leadership and erudite guidance of the "Father Of The Nation".

The well-fixed bigwigs of the country unanimously hatched a conspiracy against the vigorous young generation, scrapping the bottom of the barrel, to permanently marginalize it from various arenas of the national life by outlawing student unions. The student unions were breeding grounds of genuine political leaders and the unions' elections were useful ways to groom them. It is a bald fact that some vicious people utilize these blending for their noxious agendas. But, there is no alternative for a capable Pakistani feeling the pinch to achieve the highest political status in fair way.

Elections provide a ray of hope to the disappointed public down to their bottom dollar for a change. The bungling politicians living off the tit raise hollow slogans to hoodwink the cash strapped ignorant masses while canvassing. But after winning elections, they visit their constituency once in a blue moon and turn a blind eye to the social welfare. These so-called well-lined legislatures start feathering their own nests after victory. Therefore, their empty thundering catchphrases and syrupy promises propagated during the elections campaigns cut no ice. Thus, the public development has remained in the balance, as teeming millions are still living at subsistence level.

Use of unfair and dishonest means in the Local Body Elections of 2005 is an open secret. Even some MPAs and MNAs contested these polls because there were huge public funds in the district and tehsil budgets. Due to their insatiable greed and power lust, these so-called public representatives moved heaven and earth to elbow out their rivals. They resorted to lavish spending to purchase the loyalty of voters. Therefore, they take it for granted that embezzlement of public funds is their right to retrieve the money they had splashed out during the polls.

Women form almost fifty percent of the country's population. But, they have been politically sidelined as in other walks of life on the basis of gender. Even the present Assemblies, harboring the largest number of women legislatures in the history of Pakistan, are deprived of true women representatives. Almost all the nominated female MNAs and MPAs are the kith and kin of the big shots of the country. Those who came to power after contesting the polls are as scarce as honesty in a scam-spattered country.

Another dreary picture of the electoral process in Pakistan is that majority of the people cast their votes on the basis of sect, caste, language and self-seeking interests, instead of on the basis of principles. These wishy-washy voters don't bother to adhere to their political party manifestoes. Due to this frog in the pond approach they remain indifferent to the real value and the punch of their votes, which has tweaked democracy.

Due to the selfishness of a handful of people, during every election there are several incidents of bloody clashes, which continue for several years, claiming number of lives. The so-called public representatives add fuel to the fire and flare the flames of hatred by backing their chief supporters in getting fake medico legal certificates and launching forged FIRs to avenge their own political opponents. Therefore, this makeshift patchwork and ragtag controlled democracy has divided the people into blood thirst enemies instead of just opinionated rivals on the basis of diverse political outlooks.

In democratic countries the tide of public opinion is the foremost motivating force to determine the future of the state. Education is indispensable to nourish the common mind and to bring tolerance in a society. But, a distorted public view of ignorant masses formed by bubbling jingles and woolly arguments of myopic politicians, squint-eyed clergy, and shackled print and electronic media cannot ensure any optimistic transmutation. Therefore, political reshuffling at the top is just change of faces, and has badly failed to bring any alteration at the grass root level.

A radical reformation of the electoral process is called for. The following measures are the dire need of time to improve the political situation by conducting transparent elections to institute parliamentary democracy.

There must be a strong, independent and impartial election commission to conduct free and fair elections.

The army should defend the borders and avoid playing the role of nosy parkers in civilian affairs.

There is a crying need for division of power, following the principle of dichotomy, among the three pillars of the state, i.e. the judiciary, the executive and the legislature instead of sharing power cake.

The fourth pillar of the state, i.e., the print and electronic media, should be independent, so that it can play a constructive role to inculcate patriotism and hone-up public awareness about democracy. The media should extend its helping hand to the other three pillars of the state in resolving national issues instead of further complicating them.

Political parties should conduct regular elections within their ranks to become truly democratic organizations.

Founding of powerful and unprejudiced accountability institutions is essential to bring to book the plunderers of the national treasure.

The opposition should play a positive role instead of making swingeing attacks on the government policies and waiting for their turn impatiently.

The ruling elite should stop living high off the hag. They should serve the people instead of ruling over them, and swiping public wealth to flood their coffers with wads of notes.

Ban on the student unions must be lifted to prepare true democratic leaders to fill the vacuum of national leadership crisis. The students should not allow themselves to become hired guns in the hands of egocentric politicians.

True emancipation of women and their meaningful participation in political life is essential to ensure the empowerment of this neglected community on the basis of gender.

The judiciary is a pillar of strength. Therefore, it must be sovereign and should play its due role for the establishment of a powerful election commission for holding transparent elections.

Our leaders should learn to sacrifice their vested interests over national interests and frame independent policies that suit to the country instead of keenly waiting and blindly following America's dictations to handle internal and international affairs.

A thriving democracy established through transparent electoral procedure can act as a stepping-stone to provide sound basis for resolution of twiddly national issues, to yield rich socio-economic harvest, and can build up national consensus for fair distribution of national resources among the constituent units. Emergence of true national democratic leaders through crystal clear polls is necessary to cultivate mutual trust to reduce mounting tension among the federating units, which is indispensable for national integration, progress and prosperity of this 'Land of the Pure'.

-- Pakistan Observer