My words about Indian Elections published in Friday Times' letters to editor.

[Tassawur]

Friday Times
April 18
Indian Elections.

India is the largest democracy in the world and the ongoing elections are going to be the world’s largest.
Some 814 million Indians, more than the entire population of Europe, will cast their votes to elect the 16th Lok Sabha in India. There are a total of 543 parliamentary constituencies in India, and the winning party or coalition needs 272 seats to form the next government. The voting process has been divided into 9 phases that began on April 7 and will conclude on May 12.
This voting will take place across the length and breadth of the country, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the tiny islands in the Indian Ocean. The Election Commission of India has assured that no person needs to travel more than 2 kilometers to cast his vote. In 2009, a polling booth was created in Western Gujarat so that one single voter could cast his vote.
Regardless of the outcome, this would not merely be an exercise of choosing a new government in New Delhi, but the results of the Indian elections will have an impact on the world at large and the region in particular.
Unfortunately, since the inception of Pakistan, our experience with democracy has not been pleasant, and we have remained unable to develop a potent political culture. We need to observe keenly the experience of India and the present developments and learn from our archrival.
Fortunately, we already are on right track since 2007. A good number of steps that we can take pride in – including the purging of dictatorial tempering in the constitution, increased provincial autonomy through the 18th amendment, development of a consensus on 7th NFC awards, formulation of an independent election commission, and a peaceful transition of power – have proved instrumental in fostering democracy, revitalising the parliamentary system, and strengthening national institutions.
However, a lot still needs to be done to establish a democratic culture.
Towards this end, devolution of power to the grassroots level through local election can go a long way in nurturing democratic culture and establishing better governance.
We should wish India a peaceful election and should learn from their experience.

Tassawur Bosal,

Source: Letters ‹ The Friday Times

 

[Tassawur]

Let me clear one thing. That I didn't mean that we should start following India blindly in every sphere of life. In corruption , poverty, persecution of minorities and human rights violation , India has worst record. But , despite all that , democracy has had a smooth sailing there. On that front we can learn from our arch rival. That what were the factors which proved instrumental in giving democracy a smooth sailing in our neighbourhood. What reforms india has made in making election commission this much strong that despite elections taking place in the presence of a sitting govt , lesser voices are raised about rigging. And people have this much faith in the elections , election process and democracy that in few states the turn out touched the figure of 60 %.

 

[Indos]

I think there should be a gap between paragraphs if you want to make a long post. I believe that long post should be like a real writing in order to make other people easy to read and understand it. Actually many poster here in PDF did the same as well, but by using this kind of style, it makes more difficult for eyes to look at. Just an advice from me. Welcome.....

 

[Tassawur]

It was posted as was in newspaper.

 

[acid rain]

Let me clear one thing. That I didn't mean that we should start following India blindly in every sphere of life. In corruption , poverty, persecution of minorities and human rights violation , India has worst record. But , despite all that , democracy has had a smooth sailing there. On that front we can learn from our arch rival. That what were the factors which proved instrumental in giving democracy a smooth sailing in our neighbourhood. What reforms india has made in making election commission this much strong that despite elections taking place in the presence of a sitting govt , lesser voices are raised about rigging. And people have this much faith in the elections , election process and democracy that in few states the turn out touched the figure of 60 %.

Pakistan is the epitome of minority persecution across the board, at least India does not minority discrimination laws like blasphemy laws or the Ahmedi ordinance, increasing poverty and corruption is more if not equal - though i agree we have much bigger scams owing to the ssize and economy, so you dont fare better in any parameters, lets be clear on that.

As for following India's elections and taking lessons from it - I think there is one contradiction or confusion that really puts Pakistan in an awkward position. A recent survey in Pakistan said that 73% of Pakistaani prefer shariah law - Pakistani law follows shariah principles but one cannot mix shariah with democracy and come up with a hotch potch that will not only confuse the electorate but will also create various power centers...for beginners shariahs core principle is a caliphate - not from pakistan but a global caliph sitting in jerusalem and all laws are to be from the Quran.

One cannot simply wish away what 3/4th of the country's population wants....therein lies the contradiction, because the clergy is more powerful than the state and people support that and look down on the elected government.

 

[acetophenol]

Congrats bro!