Sayed Sajid Shah Bokhari
Being a country with political system and democracy why our law makers and politicians still do feel threats to promulgate a local bodies election on regular basis? The local bodies election could be held only, to sustain and develop a democratic institutions for the best delivery of various services to the local communities .It was a good decision taken by the province of KPK to hold election in the Month of December 2021.And when the Provincial government of KPK has announced schedule for Basic election it gives a sigh of relief to every citizen .Although it was a question remained locked that why the local bodies election remained suspended for more than 2 years period in the past? Although, few days ago the Lahore high court has decided to restore local bodies election in Punjab. These elections which may be the base of flourishing democratic remains shall not be stopped at any level and there shall be no compromise and deadlock on the topics of people interest and communities development.Before we may entered in to a discussion in details and to know the objectives and importance of local government system, it is very essential to know that the world best countries have been ranked on these indicators. As it starts from the gross root level and have pivotal role in basic services delivery to community with quality such as schools, hospitals, financing, planning ,execuations,resources mobilization, social care, business, agriculture and that’s too in the hands of local community so it is honored and respected everywhere. The local system era was started during the British government after annexation of Sindh in 1843 and Punjab in 1849 however its motto was totally different. Actually the English wanted to adjust the local elite class through this intervention.This system was based on Punchyayt and only, selected representatives from the local community loyal to English could be its member. It was a top to bottom approach policy and has nothing to do with local politics. The English also took the same policy from the Russian Ze maisto who had a mechanism to elect the people from various classes and had frame of district and provincial assemblies. Even in the socialistic block of today, politics the China possess the same members with different name of secretary having the same authority and functions. Actually, what these elections mean and how country should conduct it in proper way, is important phenomenon in democracy, because the basic human needs, problems at the gross root level could be identified and solved with local representatives of the same community with in the frame of their own resources. The gross root level in any community knows about their issues and if they had meetings and consultations at the community level they can excessively understand their issues and its soluation. Unfortunately we have been failed to provide democratic system in Democracy instead the Autocrats and Dictators had done the local bodies election in the Military regimes. Like when Field Marshal Genral M.Ayoub Khan after a coup det,t on 27h October 1958 imposed Martial law and compel sikandar Mirza to left country forever so he intervene through this system.in 1960 Mr. Ayoub Khan announced Basic Democracy system and opposed the parliamentary law system. He divided the rural and urban areas and developed a mechanism where everyone had to cast a vote under adultery sytem. Election to BD were held in in January 1960. The 80000 seats were filled from rural and urban area through union councils ,tehsil, district and divisions level. In the election when 75,285 members affirmed their support to Ayoub Khan so it changed its structure, formula and Administrative order. Now AyoubKhan was an legitimate ruler who had to run the country under the umbrella of Democracy. The system of BD introduced by Ayoub khan was four tires like Union council, Tehsil councils ,District Council and Divisional councils. Latter on when Genral Ziaul Haq imposed Martial Law and deposed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto the prime Minister of Pakistan in 1977 the situation was totally changed one.He also opted for bringing a system based on democracy and so a national referendum was held, to know the consent of people in 1985.It was basically for asking a question that whether you wish to have an Islamic system in Pakistan or not?Howver a self-nominee Assembly was constituted under the name of Mijils Shura. The election in Zia ul Haq era were held to elect the BD members and Nizam sulat as well. During his 11 years tenure he took many steps for basic democracy, its restoration and Islamization . In 1985 under the 8th amendment of constitution for establishing indirect Military rule through presidential form of government the local government ordinance(LGO) was promulgated throughout Pakistan. During the regime of General Perviz Musaharf ae New Devolution Of Power Plan was introduced. It had strong penetration lines in the distribution and reforms in 2000.It expanded the administrative and decision making policy at the gross root level. It involved all the segments of society in to a system where accountability and resources could be made special and feature areas. It provided a structure and vision to the existing system and also a way to move towards right in the right direction after involvement of people from the gross root. It also has a well developed structure and General council, laborers, field workers, women, peasants workers were given an opportunity to participate in the activities related to them especially in the field of resources mobilization Unfortunately after a decade the democratic system based under the local government procedures was stopped. Even in the political governments of last regime it was banned totally .The pulling of legs in political system and funds disbursement were the main hurdles .Even today the members of provincial and national assemblies consider it great threats to their domins and discourages their political leaders to stop or extend its time anymore. This time even the government under the extreme pressure of court has decided to announce the election but a fear like sword of Damocles is still hanging on the heads. The change at gross root level needs visionary people and resources mobilization. Each union council, tehsil council and district council must have its own system of resources mobilization, planning, development, generation, accountability process and decision making power .Until the province through its mandatory act may not trained developed and build the capacity of the local representatives own the system change is not possible the system will not flourish.
