The Serious Issue of Delay in Local Body Elections in Nakyal

The Serious Issue of Delay in Local Body Elections in Nakyal Written by: Shah Nawaz Ali Sher Advocate, High Court, Member Joint Public Action Committee Nakyal Kotli/Secretary General Bar Association Nakyal 03418848984 snsher02@gmail.com In politics, the true essence of democracy lies in respecting the will of the people and ensuring their right to choose. The goal of politics is to serve the public and improve the system of governance in the country and society. The foundation of politics is built on the economy and public issues, which determine the direction and priorities of every governmental action. In this context, the timely conduct of elections is the lifeblood of democracy and a guarantee of its success. Elections, whether for the legislative assembly or local bodies, are the true symbol of public representation at every level. Without elections, the political system of a country loses its credibility and stability, and the state turns into a system where power is exercised through undemocratic means. This is why elections are considered a vital pillar of democracy, not only to amplify the voice of the people but also to make government institutions accountable to the public. Political representatives, local councilors, and MLAs are directly engaged with the public to solve their issues, and if these representatives are inactive, the resolution of public problems is delayed. The importance of local body elections cannot be ignored, as they provide the public with an opportunity to connect directly with their elected representatives. Now, if we look at the situation in the Nakyal constituency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a clear example of the public's struggles emerges. Local body elections for vacant seats have been delayed for several months in Nakyal. This is not just a legal issue but also a matter of public trust. The failure to hold elections for these seats is not only increasing unrest and frustration among the public but also undermining the very spirit of democracy. In Nakyal, more than six local councilor seats are vacant, some due to members' deaths, while others have remained vacant due to the appointment of employees following NTS results. The non-fulfillment of these seats and the delay in the electoral process are exacerbating the public's difficulties. Despite this, the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has made no clear progress on the matter, leading to public and youth frustration as they begin to question why the elections are being delayed. It feels as though neither the government nor the Election Commission is taking this matter seriously. Furthermore, there is a growing fear among the people of Nakyal that perhaps a conspiracy is underway to further delay the local body elections, so that elected representatives remain subservient to government policies instead of solving the public's issues. This situation is increasing public anxiety and weakening trust in both the government and the Election Commission. The greatest harm caused by the delay in local body elections is the resulting delay in addressing local issues. Until these elections are held, the public cannot reach the higher authorities to resolve their problems, leading to further complications. For this reason, the Joint Public Action Committee of Nakyal has urged the Election Commission and the government to conduct local body elections for the vacant seats without delay. The Joint Public Action Committee has also set a deadline of January 30 to apply pressure on the Election Commission and the government to resolve the issue. They have stated that although they are not participating in the elections, their demand is that the elections be held immediately, as it is the right of the people to have their voices heard. This is a moment of trial for both the Election Commission and the government. If they do not act promptly, not only will their credibility be affected, but public distrust in the government will grow. This is why all relevant authorities must take immediate and practical steps to resolve this issue and lay the foundation for the strengthening of democracy and the resolution of public problems. Ultimately, the true meaning of democracy can only be realized when elections are held timely and transparently. The delay in local body elections is a serious issue that must be resolved as soon as possible so that the public's problems can be addressed and their trust in the democratic process can be restored.