THE right to vote is of fundamental importance in democratic societies as it holds the potential to bring about positive change in a nation’s life. A prominent debate among political scientists revolves around whether people should cast their vote for a political party or a candidate. This question gained renewed attention amid protests over the party’s ticket allocation process, which left many aspiring candidates disgruntled. While political parties are essential for any democracy and shape its political culture, it is crucial to remember that the real power lies with the masses. People are the lifeblood of these parties and their aspirations should not be ignored when selecting candidates for party tickets. When political parties choose unsuitable candidates, it puts the electorate in a difficult position, torn between conflicting choices.
People have a Hobson’s choice to prefer individual candidates over a candidate nominated by a political party. Moreover, such whimsical choices of party heads lead to the erosion of democratic norms and values in a society. Suppose a popular political party awards tickets to the wrong candidates and people blindly vote for them without questioning their credibility, it will be disastrous for a democratic landscape. In the first place, it will undermine the struggle of popular, educated and experienced candidates. Secondly, the rise of wrong people through elections may intensify authoritarian and Bonapartist tendencies. The writer of “How Democracies Die” highlights internal threats to democracy. He proclaims that the autocratic tendencies of elected leaders pose a real threat to democracy today. Therefore, it is with the people to make judicious choices while electing their representatives.
Pakistani politics has long revolved around “electables,” individuals with the ability to win elections due to their social positions. Ticket allocation based on “electability” undermines genuine political workers’ efforts, perpetuating the vicious cycle of elite capture. Voters must prioritize genuine political workers regardless of social positions to break free from this cycle and foster socio-political and economic development.
Moreover, the audio and video leaks clearly reinforce that the use of money for winning loyalties has become the hallmark of Pakistani politics. This is evenly true when it comes to the allocation of party tickets. The powerful capitalist figures muster party tickets by the dint of their monetary influence at the expense of deserving candidates. The lobbying of certain candidates by senior leadership within the party perpetuates the culture of bribes and heavy amounts from respective candidates. In this way, these people are given preferences over deserving candidates. The vibrant and well-informed citizenry can reverse the course by prudently exercising their right to vote. It will be a message to party heads that they must not go against the wishes of the people while awarding party tickets. Therefore, it is high time to realize the power of a vote. If people make the right choices while casting their votes in upcoming elections, the party leadership will be careful next time while making its nominations for party tickets.
In an era marked by political instability and uncertainty, it becomes increasingly crucial to scrutinize the political manifestos of parties and candidates. These manifestos serve as the foundational blueprints upon which our societal and governmental structures are built. They embody the promises, ideologies and proposed actions that candidates pledge to uphold if entrusted with power. While navigating through turbulent political landscapes, analyzing these manifestos becomes imperative as they offer insights into the principles, policies and agendas that shape the future direction of our communities. In doing so, we exercise our responsibility as informed citizens, ensuring that our choices align with our values and aspirations for a just and equitable society.
The controversy surrounding the award of PTI tickets in Pakistan’s 2018 general elections highlights the need for transparency and meritocracy in candidate selection. Despite pledging to choose candidates based on merit and transparency, the party faced allegations of nepotism, favoritism and bribery. This case underscores the importance of voters making informed decisions and holding elected representatives accountable. By evaluating candidates’ track records, policies and credibility, voters can strengthen democracy’s foundations and promote good governance, ensuring elected leaders adhere to democratic norms. Upholding transparency and merit in candidate selection is vital for maintaining trust in the democratic process and upholding the legitimacy of elected representatives.
This case study shows that voters must pay attention to the selection of candidates by political parties and critically evaluate their track record, policies and credibility before casting their vote. The voters’ power to hold their representatives accountable by making informed choices during the elections is crucial for the sustenance and strengthening of democracy.
In conclusion, the selection of candidates by political parties is a crucial aspect of the democratic process and voters must pay close attention to it. The allocation of party tickets should be based on merit, transparency and credibility, rather than nepotism, favouritism, or bribery. The people’s judicious exercise of their right to vote can act as a powerful check on the autocratic tendencies of elected leaders and help strengthen democratic norms and values in society.
—The writer is an MPhil scholar, law practitioner and a political commentator.
views expressed are writer’s own.
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