A protest has erupted on FerozPur Road in Lahore, with demonstrators asserting that candidates vying in the General Election 2024 pledged to offer them a 2500 PKR bribe in exchange for casting votes in their favor.
The grievance stems from the candidates reneging on their commitments and withholding the return of protestors’ Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs).
This situation highlights the regrettable exploitation of the electoral process in Pakistan, where the foundational democratic component of elections is manipulated not only by candidates but also by individuals willing to exchange their votes for monetary gain.
It is disheartening to witness the compromise of democratic values, as citizens become entangled in transactions that undermine the integrity of the electoral system.
The exploitation of the voting process not only jeopardizes the essence of democracy but also raises concerns about the accountability and ethical conduct of candidates in their pursuit of political power.
The need for stringent measures to safeguard the sanctity of elections and uphold democratic principles becomes increasingly evident in the face of such incidents.
