FROM MAULANA’S DESK

The success of democracy depends at the outset on free and fair elections. Every person has the equal right to present his opinion by casting his vote. This was the point made by Evelyn B Hall echoing Voltaire’s beliefs: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Democracy spans two periods: the preelection period and post-election period. In the pre-election period, political parties compete with each other to win the election. But after the election, the situation changes, as the time now comes for taking a U-turn. Instead of considering each other as rivals and continuing to fight, both sides must adopt the way of coordination. Political competition before elections is necessary, but confrontation after elections is so disastrous that it nullifies all benefits of a democratic system. In the pre-election period, it is the political right of participating parties to compete with each other. But it is essential for the success of democracy that after elections both parties change their approach and play a constructive role for the progress of the nation. The party that has lost must accept its defeat without any sense of humiliation, while the winning party must take its victory without pride. Just as sportsmen demonstrate the sporting spirit, leaders in democracy should demonstrate the democratic spirit. Without the sporting spirit, sports would seriously lose in value. Similarly, if the democratic spirit is absent from a democracy, it becomes difficult to avail of the benefits offered by the democratic system. All parties must adopt the philosophy of adjustment to and respect for each other, rather than take to political fighting or confrontation. All parties should focus on a single goal, that is, national development. An example worth quoting in this connection is that after the 2008 US elections, when Barack Obama became President, he chose as his Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who had been his rival in the Democratic party presidential primaries. This was a healthy move meant to guarantee the success of democracy. In a similar manner, post election parties should forget their differences and work together for the best interests of the nation. Leaders elected in a democratic system are masters of their national affairs for only a limited period. They can do a good job only if they concentrate on the present. If they change their focus and devote all their efforts to ensuring success in the next election, they will lose Rival political leaders may well be fierce competitors, but once elections are over, they need to cooperate to make democracy work.