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IT is a troubling trend. A number of election candidates have been confronted by ostensibly unhappy voters, quite often to the applause of those who draw pleasure from the public humiliation of well-known figures.
While on the face of it, the people might have been protesting against the missing basic amenities, and highlighting their grievances through publicly accosting canvassing politicians, the problem is a deeper one.
Ideally, these basic jobs should be left to local government representatives; however, the bigwigs who sit in the assemblies are greatly to blame since they are guilty of concentrating authority in their own hands, leaving the lower tier powerless.
In a way then, these protests, notwithstanding allegations that they target specific parties and personalities to stop them from campaigning freely, have everything to do with the centralisation of power. Protests are part and parcel of the deal, but the manner in which they are registered does raise alarm.
While the method the protesters have adopted may be a sign of the latter’s frustration, it does not necessarily establish them as voters asserting their choice. With elections just three weeks away, a more profound and lasting snub would have been for them to vote out inept politicians.
Much emotion is going into this election. People have learnt the uses of a mobile phone complete with camera, internet and access to social media sites where they expose underperforming politicians.
The mainstream media is ready to provide them a platform since such news has a big market. The scenes showing a politician — a sardar, head of political party, a former minister, etc — are eagerly lapped up and seen as evidence of the public’s anger.
But this is precisely the point that needs to be made. The kind of passion that is on display — stoked by new and old actors who like their elections served with a lot of controversy — could give way to more violence in the coming days. That would be most unfortunate.
Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2018
Comments (15) Closed
Its sign of an awakening Pakistan. Unfortunately, the focus on electables' means voters remain frustrated as their choices are again limited. IK had a chance, he might just blow it by focusing on electables.
law should always takes its course...cannot leave such matters to the ballet which is what corrupt politicians want....
@Mumtaz sir did you read the editorial? Your otherwise great comment suggests you did not.
It is not unfortunate but a sign of public awakening against these venal and feudal politicians. These even deserve more harsh humiliation, so that, they can care about public interest in future. Social media deserve credit for this.
As long as confrontation remains within bounds of civilized difference there is no harm in it. And public shouldn't in any way be discouraged from exercising that right. Confronting politicians is the only means through which public couls make it clear to returning candidates that their antics will not mislead public during the current elections
The public is arousing from deep slumber, a good omen for the steady ignorance--must be appreciated.
Unfortunately all private channels are supporting these anti democratic activities by playing them over and over again, just for their rating. These channels need to be shamed.
Nicely said ..... the issue is " Do these politicians need and deserve to be shamed " ...... and the loud and honest answer is YES ...... and this should have been done some 50 years ago. Today we have be thankful to the media and the power of the cell phone.
People need to question politicians on their policies rather than concentrating on roads,sewerage,gas,garbage disposal etc. This should be the job of the city governments. MNA and MPAs are responsible for legislation only.One of the major area of corruption in our politics is the issue of so called development fund to the MNAs/MPAs. Those close to PM get huge funds compared to ones associated with opposition political parties. This practice must be abolished and city /district govt should be strengthen.MNA/MPAs should not be given any development funds. once that happens people will not question their candidates on roads etc.
When these elected representative do not feel accountable in parliament, when they use the public money meant for development for their own good, when they are not accessible to the public for 5 years and show their face before elections, such things will happen and frankly these people deserve what they are getting as long as it is in good humour and not turns into violence.
Sir/Madam, do you 100% believe that those confronting are genuine? In current Social Media age, high probability that an opponent (equally if not more corrupt) sends paid agents to enact, film and spread it.
Voting out corrupt politician is a noble message. Can you also guide how to do it? Who decides which candidate is corrupt and convey to voters. Do we allow our Media to do this?
It was bound to happen. The often dirty and confrontational debates between representatives of opposing political parties facilitated by TV anchors on private channels have set the mode and tone of public debate. It was bound to catch up. Who is to blame for popularizing this trend. Well paid and supposedly well educated, trained and experienced anchors encouraged by owners of the media outlets for ratings or those who are at the receiving end of all these shananagans? Or has it become a case of concern that the organized media will loose opportunities to extract undue benefits if such 'uncontrolled' and 'citizens own social media' starts demanding what they should have been doing themselves to begin with and not have the middle men do their job for them? What is it?
@Dr Khan .... Generally property and sales taxes plus service fees fund city government. What can be done it the taxes cannot be collected?
I think it's a positive trend Albeit an immature way to protest We will learn gradually
These politicians miserably failed to deliver. It is the suffering which forced people to ask their Lords questions. Beauty of democracy. Dawn should support the people.