WITH general elections approaching, there have been voices raised in favour of putting the ‘None of the above’ (NOTA) option on the ballot paper, citing examples from some countries that have gone down that road. It must be borne in mind that what is good for the goose may not always or necessarily be good for the gander.

Democracy in Pakistan has its own specific dimensions. Any mechanism valid elsewhere may not be practical in our political environment. We should not do something only because someone else has done it.

World history bears testimony to the fact that no country on the planet has ever been absolutely corruption-free. Even today, former American president Donald Trump is facing a long list of corruption charges. Just putting NOTA on the ballot paper is no guarantee for a corruption-free Pakistan that some among us are hoping for.

In any case, blaming the politicians for all economic travails is not appropriate. What we need to do is to vote for the lesser evil — yes, lesser evil — just as the majority of the world does.

As a sustained long-term measure, all the relevant stakeholders need to some on board and do everything in their own specific spheres to create political awakening of the masses. This will

lead to improved voter turnout, and more rational use of the right to elect. We surely do not need to reinvent the wheel.

Sadruddin Sabri
Wah Cantt

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2023