THE STRUGGLE FOR REPRESENTATION: A STUDY OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Democracy refers to such a system of government where elected members of a state run the affairs of government. There are different electoral systems used around the world to choose public representatives. The choice of electoral system is considered as one of the most important institutional decisions which has significant effects on the future political life of the country. Pakistan is currently using First Past The Post (FPTP) system which is the form of plurality system. The prime objective of an electoral system is to produce the true and factual representation which reflects all classes of the society. A qualitative and case study based research was conducted to find out whether the current electoral system of Pakistan is best suited to ensure true and factual representation for the people of Pakistan? Findings of the study show certain problems in the current electoral system of Pakistan due to which, National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies are not truly representative. Major issues highlighted by the study were the absence of poor or working class in legislature and political apathy among the voters. Only elites constitute the legislature, and in this way the interests of the poor class are seriously undermined. Thus, there is a need to make poor class, part of the parliament and assemblies. The study also revealed that the current electoral system is not fully fair and free, the influence of the powerful people i.e. feudal and industrialists always remain on the system in manipulating the elections results. Mixed-Member System as electoral formula is proposed by the study to provide a chance of representation to smaller political parties in legislature as well as the requirement of qualified legislators in assemblies. Findings of the study also indicated that there should be a difference of the power of vote of an educated and an illiterate voter in making the choice of public representatives.