The results of mid-term Senate elections are notable more for the upsets these have caused to major parties than the wins. Until a few months ago, the PML-N was almost certain of gaining majority in the upper house. In the event, although it has emerged as the largest single party, it is still short of the number needed to elect Senate chairman, and for the passage of laws it has been threatening to enact to undercut the powers of institutions it blames for its leaderships' troubles. The MQM has suffered the biggest setback winning only one seat whereas it had hoped to bag four. The happiest party is the PPP. It has managed to pull a surprise, winning not only its due share of seats from Sindh, but also four from the Balochistan where it had not a single MPA, and two from the KP Assembly with only seven members.
The PPP having helped dissidents topple the PML-N government in Balochistan can expect to get the support of six senators elected as independents from the province. With its demonstrated prowess at political manipulations it might succeed also in wooing three out of the four Fata senators (one has already announced joining the PML-N) elected as independent candidates. Although in Punjab, despite lacking the necessary number, the PTI has grabbed one seat, the showing in its home base of KP has not come up to its expectations. The party had anticipated winning six seats but succeeded in getting five. The two candidates it had backed, Maulana Samiul Haq of the JUI (S) and Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli of the Qaumi Watan Party, have lost badly. The MQM blames its debacle on internal party feud and horse-trading. But the other two major parties - especially the PTI - have reacted angrily to what they think is betrayal by their respective MPAs. Punjab Chief Minister is said to have taken the in charge of his party's election campaign, his son Hamza Shahbaz, to task for PTI contender Chaudhry Sarwar's win despite lacking the required votes. And according to reports, PTI Chairman Imran Khan has asked KP Chief Minister to take disciplinary action against the lawmakers who did not vote for candidates fielded by the party or supported by it.
The main reason behind the upsets is believed to be the use of the power of money. Even before the elections were held, reports were galore of vote buying and selling. This makes mockery of the election, undermining the trust the people repose in their representatives. Also, the parties do not serve the idea of having an upper house in which all federating units get equal representation when they nominate candidates from provinces other than the ones electing them. It is about time these malpractices are brought to an end, and the Senate embodies the spirit in which it was created. Imran Khan has suggested that the Senate elections be held through direct vote or on the basis of proportionate representation. The suggestion deserves serious attention. Adoption of the either electoral method would help purge the bane of horse-trading, and also ensure the provinces' genuine participation in the upper house of Parliament. The healthier the democracy the more effectively a democratic state operates.
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