Democracy protests
By Hina Khwaja Bayat

May 11, 2013 — with a 60 per cent voter turnout, democracy finally came to Pakistan — or did it? What we witnessed that day was scores of people — young, old, handicapped, pregnant and able-bodied all standing in line, many for the first time, to exercise their right to elect their representatives. We saw these people standing for eight to 12 hours in the scorching heat, with no shade and no one to redress their woes. Many polling stations opened late or remained closed, with polling officers absent and ballot papers and boxes missing, making it impossible for people to cast their vote. At other polling stations where everything was available, people were either beaten or forced into voting for a certain party candidate or simply made to wait so long that they would get frustrated and leave. However, we also saw something we had not seen since the earthquake in 2005 or perhaps, since 1947 — the spirit of the peace-loving people of Pakistan and their ability to unite for a common national cause.
What we saw were the young and able-bodied facilitating the elderly to move ahead in the line to vote, women giving up their places for those who were pregnant, people from neighbouring houses bringing out chairs for the elderly and offering them shade inside their homes, informed voters guiding others regarding the correct voting process, and people distributing food and drinks to weary voters. And all this was done just to ensure that no one would leave without casting their vote. On May 11, 2013, Pakistanis came out in droves in the hope that they would change the destiny of their country. Today, they refuse to go back until they are given back their right to bring that change.
Yes, democracy has finally come to Pakistan. Its youth is tech-savvy and informed, its elderly are hopeful again, its educated silent majority has awakened and all because they have found leadership that gives their aspirations a voice. Imran Khan and the PTI have emerged as a force to reckon with despite the rigging that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) may not acknowledge. The PML-N has come out a major winner in many constituencies based on its developmental performance. The ANP has been shown the door by its populace who have the courage to embrace change — a tradition they have kept up since the referendum of 1947, where they opted to become a part of Pakistan despite the following enjoyed by Bacha Khan. The PPP and the PML-Q have largely failed.
Many questions come to mind here. Why is the turnout for “change” not reflected in the election results? Why did the ECP not involve the army to ensure a fair election? Why did political forces not give democracy a fair chance? Most voters went through the democratic process expecting the PML-N to win enough seats to form the government and the PTI to garner enough strength to form a strong opposition — the two elements that would ensure good governance for a better Pakistan. Today, too, they have not given up hope. Their protests are not in response to a party’s call. It is a voluntary decision to call out to the claimants of democracy, to give them back their right to elect those they trust. This is the ultimate test of the caretaker government, the ECP, the civil administration, the media and the government and opposition in-waiting. Will they restore the mandate of hope for change through democracy? Because today, democracy is protesting — tomorrow it may not.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2013.