Emotions of voters have a major impact on Pakistani elections. The desire for vengeance is fueling voter turnout in the general elections of 2024. This demonstrates that regardless of our educational background or social circles, our voting habits lack objective rationale.
Ironically, voters trapped in the aforementioned habit accuse “biryani politics”—followers go to parties’ jalsas in order to receive a complimentary plate of biryani. How can the same “woke lot” blame the biryani vote if “woke people” might choose to cast a vengeance vote?
Besides, in practice there are no votes for biryani.These food platters only serve to highlight two aspects of Pakistani identity: our love of eating and the socioeconomic hardships that the bulk of us face. Because of this, the argument against biryani votes is not only disparaging but also highlights the divisions within our woke society, which is now demanding a vote in retaliation.
Although the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has chosen a different communication strategy, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) can capitalize on the retaliation vote from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) followers.
The PML-N’s base of devoted supporters has not been seriously harmed by the political crisis that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition government is blamed for, but it has resulted in the loss of seasonal votes that appear to be more influenced by politics of retaliation.
Extra seasonal votes can gradually increase the chances of the party that is confident in its ability to build a stable administration, so it is not just a matter of counting on loyal supporters to help it rule the country.
The PTI is primarily relying on the vengeance vote; unlike in the past, it is not enticing voters with promises of reform or prior performance. In addition to the retribution narrative, the PTI’s story of combating corruption has taken on a secondary or supplemental role.
Even when the PML-N won’t suffer much from the corruption story, the revenge narrative, when combined with other supporting narratives and corruption, has the potential to severely damage the party.
Thus far, only the PPP has capitalized on every possible weak point; but, this is not their year yet. If it can effectively let its work in Sindh speak for itself, then the upcoming elections might be its year.
While political parties discuss the concept of political consciousness, or sha’oor, it is ludicrous to assign a single emblem to any candidate running for office. Political parties boast about the political awareness and savvy of the youth that vote for them. But every leader carries a plush toy, like an arrow or a bat, to solicit votes during elections. What is the process for a toddler to select from in an examination hall if that is the only requirement for the entire procedure?
The goal of voting distinct public representatives is eliminated by this centralization technique, which also frees them from accountability. You are not voting for your constituency or for Nawaz Sharif or Imran Khan, and you should not be able to hold your elected representative accountable if they do not show up for work after the election. This totally disregards the accomplishments and inadequacies of a legislator serving a specific constituency during their constitutional term.
Political leaders in Pakistan need to start sharing the spotlight, which they obviously do not, and political parties need to believe in and offer confidence to the younger generation. It is best to prevent claims such as “even if we nominate a pole, it will win.”
Parties must cease making fun of popular decisions with comments and attitudes like this.
The public-party relationship must be established, and it shouldn’t be unduly dependent on a single figurehead or symbol.
All political parties have had leaders and supporters go to jail, each party has martyrs, and their employees have gone through unspeakable sufferings. But this does not imply that we ought to cast our votes out of sympathy, retaliation, or even passion. Though we’ve done it before, let’s act egotistical now.
Instead than voting for someone who is currently in suffering or someone who has experienced hardship in the past, let’s vote for our nation and ourselves.
They must stop feeling sorry for the political class since politics is their vocation and the only way they can survive.
Let’s cast our votes for the candidate you believe has performed best in the areas of healthcare, education, business ease of doing business, and hard work for the nation’s economic development.
You also need to determine which political leaders might be a better fit for interventions in the future, taking into account their past performance. Cast your ballot for them!
