With just a week left for the nation to choose their new government, the election fever is rising to a crescendo. The general elections are like a celebration, for they herald change - and a change for the better. In our case, however, the forthcoming polls are marked by an undercurrent of apprehension sparked by terrorism and possibility of violence. The Chief Election Commissioner has succinctly stated that he cannot guarantee free and fair elections in the absence of good law and order. This statement is good only if it remains a statement and not an escape route to absolve the Election Commission of blame for not checking malpractices. This also underlines the imperative need to orchestrate all law enforcement resources in a manner so as to ensure a secure environment during the polls.
I am sure that those drawing up the strategy for maintaining peace and order, would have taken cognisance of external and internal events that are even now unfolding and which are aimed at destabilising the situation to an unmanageable extent. The timing of aggravating tension with our eastern neighbour, blowing up of buildings designated as polling stations and cold-blooded assassination of rival candidates are some of the manifestations of the game that is afoot.
Notwithstanding the spectres that threaten us, the current ‘Election Campaign’ has now reached a proportion where candidates and their supporters are pulling out all the stops. Banners, streamers and posters have erupted like fungi on every conceivable spot, including streetlight poles and building fronts, to the great chagrin of those responsible to clean up public places once the election is over.
Diehard workers belonging to one of the big parties on our political landscape have even painted tiger stripes and a complementary head on their vehicles, in a show of creativity. Others have fashioned the ‘Arrow’ symbol lit up by fairy lights and mounted it on top of cars and vans to show solidarity with their favourite party. I saw a ‘Ghauri’ missile mounted on one vehicle that was canvassing for a new addition to the list of political aspirants, little realising that the connection between this party and the missile was nonexistent. Another big political player that claims the tsunami as its very own and which has some big names from the world of pop music on its list of supporters has vehicles playing out songs and jingles at intersections and street corners.
Camps have sprouted up at various places, where one is likely to find loiterers lounging on chairs in various stages of somnambulism. Occasionally, these camps become the centre of activity, as the candidate arrives to meet his supporters, many of whom are under the voting age and are there for a free cup of tea and a snack.
Speaking of people under the voting age, I was amazed the other day, when standing at my favourite fruit shop, I overheard a political discussion between two boys, who were not even in their teens. I caught the words: “No..no.. Musharraf actually said this.......” Regretfully, as I edged in closer overcome with journalistic curiosity, the two ‘corner analysts’ became conscious of my interest and fell silent.
My experience with ‘corner analysts’ brings up corner meetings, processions and big jalsas that hallmark any political campaign. A few days ago, I drove by one corner meeting to find a boisterous procession belonging to the rival candidate heading towards the spot. I stopped my vehicle to see what would happen and was pleasantly confronted with the sight of procession participants and the corner meeting people waving to each other in a good-natured manner and carrying on with whatever they were doing.
The sight of huge crowds and roars of adulation tend to make keynote speakers rather heady. Sometimes they get so carried away that they ask those present to put the ‘stamp of approval’ on the rival’s symbol. As expected, the other side immediately picks up the blooper, little realising that the devil could get to them too. Lo and behold in the next big public meeting, the leading speaker promises to “totally do away with electricity” in a final solution of zero loadshedding. The spirit of the jalsa gets to even the most dignified of orators, as is evident from the change in language affected by a former cricketing hero. His speeches and their response from the other side are nothing less than clips from a popular television show, where a group of comics regale viewers with jugatbazi and street humour.
The political parties are making full use of the print and electronic media to get their message across. These campaigns began in a rather dignified manner, but as the heat built up, these ads became more and more aggressive and personalities oriented. We wait to see where this race will end as politicking closes at the time laid down by the Election Commission.
I am told that pirs are doing a roaring business in the pre-election period, thanks to huge chinks in our faith. I was told of one gentleman, who has been promised the sky, if his ‘intercession’ leads one candidate to success.
And finally, we come to the bane of our evenings - the television talk show. I pity the poor anchors and hosts, who must be lauded for their courage and fortitude in ‘moderating and handling’ what for all purposes is a bunch of crude, lying individuals lacking dignity and courtesy.
    The writer is a freelance columnist.