By Saleem Bari Patujo
Local government is a foundation of democracy which has great significance especially in countries like Pakistan where on one hand, democracy is evolving and on the other hand, delivers better due to the huge population.
Pakistan’s democracy in its evolution process to strengthen its framework by pursuing the basic democracy achieve another milestone. After 9 years, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held local government elections in 32 districts of Balochistan.
The number of voters in these districts was 3552398 whereas 16195 including 132 women contested the elections in 4,456 wards whereas candidates in 1,584 wards have been elected unopposed. ECP established 5,226 polling stations across the province wherein 7 seven districts were declared as the ‘most sensitive’. To ensure safe and secure elections, 45436 police personnel were deployed in all the polling stations.
Due to the issues of delimitation and the formation of wards, the elections didn’t take place in Quetta and Lasbela.
According to election results, independent candidates were leading with maximum seats whereas, among political parties, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) was on top. Surprisingly, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), the ruling party in Balochistan faced a great setback and stands at the third position.
ECP ensured safe, and fair local body elections wherein minimum reports of complaints were received. A few minor incidents of clashes among rival groups were reported across Balochistan wherein around three dozen people were injured and one person was killed. Overall, the security situation was satisfactory.
“The voter turnout was estimated to be the highest in the province since the year 1988.” The voter turnout proves the people of Balochistan expressed their trust in democracy, security, and the State of Pakistan.
Arranging the successful local government elections echoes the law-and-order situation improved in the province. Despite the fact that India still continues to sponsor terror activities in Balochistan, the peace has returned to the people with the day and night efforts and sacrifices of security forces.
Common people expressed their intention to fight for their rights politically. With increasing political awareness, the people signified the importance of democracy which is the only way to identify and address their problems besides getting overall development and progress.
Amid security threats and the declaration of about 2,000 polling stations ‘highly sensitive’ and 1917 ‘sensitive’, a huge number of people expressed trust in security institutions by coming out of their homes to cast their votes.
Local government elections increase awareness about politics, democracy, and their values among local people which will help to fortify democracy at the gross-root level. The public has rejected the narrative of anti-Pakistan elements especially India and its sponsored separatists by overwhelmingly participating in the democratic process.
India continues to create a perception of unrest and instability in Balochistan in order to defame Pakistan. Balochistan public has realized that so-called separatists for their minor personal interests pushed an entire population into the darkness of backwardness.
The people of Balochistan apprehend that local body elections generate political activities and new political leaders who one day will represent their constituencies at the national level. Besides, the public expressed interest and attachment to the State which helps to curb separatist tendencies spread by Indian-sponsored terrorist groups in Balochistan.
The confidence of the public in democracy will furnish democratic culture in the province. Local leaders will emerge who will one day represent their people at provincial and national level.
The representatives of the local government live among their voters who always remain available and accessible to the citizens unlike members of the provincial assembly (MPA) or members of the National Assembly (MNA) who remain away from their voters in order to attend the sessions of their respective assemblies.
By participating in the local government elections, people of the interior parts of the province especially far-flung areas have reduced their suffering. Tthey do not need to travel to Quetta for their minor issues rather to resolve them in their areas; this will not only save their time and energy but also reduce their financial burden.
Due to the frequent interaction among local government representatives and voters, the fundamental spirit of democracy can be revived by the people to make their leaders accountable for their performance and bring welfare and prosperity.
The local government will bring positive outcomes for the people as a result of their belief in democracy. The representatives of local government will be effective in averting the small disputes and the big tribal clashes. By using their influence, they bring the rival groups to the negotiating table to find out an instant solution which helps to keep the law and situation under control.
The people of Balochistan have played their part by believing in democracy, now it is time for the State and the provincial government to address their grievances. The local government representatives need to further strengthen the confidence of the people by performing as per their wishes.
The writer is an Islamabad-based researcher, freelance journalist, and security analyst. He can be reached at: saleembaripatujo@gmail.com
