THE common man has endured three miserable years under a democratic government. This is a lesson for him for electing members of parliament based on bradri, ethnicity, feudal pressure and ignorance.

The media, during this period, has been engaged in political debate ad nauseum. But there has been little discussion on how the country can get itself out of the current impasse.

Under such abnormal circumstances, there is no vision or a desire to have one. It would be naïve to believe that the opportunistic political parties, an obsolete and fatigued bureaucracy, and the all-powerful and intrusive military, would be capable of delivering the country out of the current impasse through democratic means.

On the contrary, they are struggling for day to day survival or striving to retain, regain or rebuild power depending on whichever side of the political divide they are.

The citizens, the media, civil society, the political scientist and the all-important judiciary must take upon themselves, collectively as well as individually, to ensure that the next general election is free, fair, and transparent.

They must ensure that voters make much more informed choices than has been the practice in the past. Let us strive to ensure that the next parliament is represented by members, irrespective of their political affiliations, with greater capability, integrity and veracity towards our country.

Thus the next election should not be about one political party versus another. It should be about a corrupt and inept political system versus a more honest and trustworthy political system, represented by more capable and sincere parliamentarians.

The Pakistanis must win this fight to bring the country out of the current crisis, and for which the work has to begin now. If the next election is planned for September 2012, the next 16 months are going to be equally painful and demanding. But pain with a purpose is easier to bear than the purposeless and incessant pain for which there is no cure.

Civil society, political scientists and the media should join hands now, create a movement, and collect and disseminate accurate information on the past performance, good and bad, of every political aspirant in each constituency who desires to participate in the next election.

This will help the people to make a more informed choice in selecting their representatives. The judiciary, particularly the Election Commission, should ensure a free, fair, transparent and informed election to bring hope and light to the people who have endured such pain and misery over decades.

DR SAMEEN SIDDIQI Beirut