The vote doesn’t demand respect; it bestows it. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a few years ago in 2019, left for London citing health reasons and returned during the current year’s elections.
In democratic societies, an ordinary person or a common politician becomes the Prime Minister or President through the help of votes. Therefore, it can be observed that it’s not the vote that is respected but the avenue through which respect and honor are given to others.
However, when Nawaz Sharif left the country, either due to necessity, as claimed by PTI, or willingly creating a narrative of self-imposed exile for medical treatment, slogans of “Respect the Vote” were chanted. Even today, the PML-N desires the respect of the vote.
The issue arises that the vote is neither being respected nor does it instill confidence in politicians that the public will prefer giving them more respect through voting. Therefore, discussions about seat adjustments were made before the elections rather than focusing on achieving success in the elections.
Recently, in a statement, PPP leader Khursheed Shah questioned whether Nawaz Sharif is still respecting the vote after he gave the slogan “Respect the Vote” in 2014. He asked if people consider themselves part of the establishment.
Khursheed Shah mentioned that the issue lies not in respecting the vote but within the party. He emphasized that they practice ideological politics, and their leader fulfilled the promises made. He challenged other parties to disclose the financial status of their manifestos.
Interestingly, the People’s Party is poised to hold the position of Prime Minister in Sindh from the Chief Minister’s seat to other crucial positions in the upcoming general elections. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is the candidate for the position of Prime Minister.
As is the tradition in all major political parties, the assumption is that if the father was the Prime Minister, then the son or daughter has the right to the position of Prime Minister. Regarding the PPP, is the party respecting the vote or seniority, or is it a mix of both?
If the vote were respected, then during the tenure of the Pakistan People’s Party, complaints of corruption would not surface during elections. While irregularities may occur even in general elections, do intra-party elections take place?
Can any political party, including the PML-N or PPP, bring new leaders based on merit rather than perpetuating family dominance? Meanwhile, the People’s Party has individuals who have served in various capacities, including the Prime Ministerial position.
In PML-N, more than one former Prime Ministers are present, having served as the Speaker of the National Assembly.
The question is, 76 years have passed since the creation of Pakistan. After such a long time, why can’t we respect the vote? Those who talk about respecting the vote, why do their statements about relations with the establishment emerge? Have politicians abandoned public support and trust in the vote?
When a country’s politicians do not respect the vote, do not value public opinion, and do not consider it powerful according to democratic norms, adopting a strategy that prioritizes giving importance to national issues will be equivalent to a futile effort.
It is essential that the power of public votes is not just acknowledged verbally but is given personal significance. By empowering elected representatives through the strength of votes, a government can be established that aligns with the exact aspirations of the public.
