General Elections in the country are fast approaching. Given the prevailing status quo, not much change is expected as outcome of the elections as forces which have become expert in manipulating the existing system to their advantage are still at play and save cosmetic manicure, no real reform has been brought about in the electoral procedures.

Of the many short comings of the existing system, the concept of 'first past the post' to be declared winner stands out, as it is no more a true indicator of the popularity of a candidate or a party.

The present government has issued Benazir Income Support cards to as many families in a constituency as are required to hurl its candidate first past the post. "the rest of the population may go to hell', is their clear philosophy.  More to it is the propaganda that any other party coming to power would cancel these cards. This gives them about 40 thousand captive voters (at least two per card) which are enough for a National Assembly Candidate to win a seat. In this new concept of pre-poll rigging, the spirit of democracy is totally mauled. First keeping the people poor, hungry and spineless and then buying them off at the time of elections is the sinisterism that democracy has reduced to.

The election commission of Pakistan must introduce solid electoral reforms before the coming general elections if it wants any positive results as outcome of the elections. Introduction of proportional representation system is one reform that can be introduced without much hassle. The requirement for a candidate needing more than 50 percent polled votes (if applicable run off elections) is another feasible reform which can easily be implemented.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan needs to direct the election commission to carry out these reforms, otherwise we shall continue to go round and round in a circle of no joy and elections will churn out the same garbage as we are witnessing for decades.

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