The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) formally nominated Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as its candidate for the office of the Senate chairman, but deferred its nominations for the offices of deputy chairman and the opposition leader.
Gilani, who caused a major upset by defeating Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the March 3 Senate poll on a general seat from Islamabad, will face incumbent Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, who has already been nominated as the candidate of the ruling alliance headed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), in the election for the top Senate office.
The government has blamed the ECP for failing to ensure transparency in the polls and has raised the need for reform and to conduct a thorough inquiry on those who sold their votes and their conscience. However, the failure to bring reforms in the past two years and the lack of support from the opposition have maintained the archaic system. Gilani’s victory is no small dent to the government. It requires the Prime Minister to play out of his skin to undo the impact of that dent.
His government will have to provide instant relief to the masses by bringing down the prices of daily use items and cutting down the utility charges. He will also have to ensure accountability for all and focus on genuine electoral reforms so as to get the opinion-makers to speak for him. All indications are that this may be difficult for the government to do. Sanity must prevail before it is too late.
Numerically, the government has 47 seats in the 100-member House while the Opposition Coalition has 53 seats. However, the government is still hopeful of Sadiq Sanjarani’s victory. Whether it is Yousuf Raza Gilani or Sadiq Sanjarani, both are capable and seasoned politicians. However, there is a need to ensure transparent elections for the most important post so that the democratic process in the country can be further strengthened.
