Ballots, not Billionaires

The time has come to reclaim our politics, redefine our leadership, and remind every political party that public office is a sacred trust, not a business venture

By Abdullah Usman Morai

Democracy, at its heart, is meant to be a system where every citizen, regardless of wealth or status, has an equal say in shaping the future. It is supposed to be the voice of the people—rich and poor, urban and rural, educated and unlettered. But across many developing countries, including ours, democracy is increasingly slipping into the hands of a privileged few and increasingly becoming the playground of the powerful.

Instead of being a vehicle for public service, politics is becoming an exclusive domain reserved for the wealthy, the powerful, and the well-connected. This erosion of democratic ideals begins long before the first vote is cast, at the very moment when political parties hand out tickets to contest elections. When party tickets are distributed based on wealth, fame, or family legacy instead of integrity, vision, and public service, the electoral process becomes compromised. Citizens are then not choosing among visionaries or reformers—they are choosing between competing power blocs. It’s time to confront the uncomfortable truth: democracy cannot flourish when driven by privilege.

Power and Privilege: Democracy’s Uninvited Guests

In South Asia and similar regions, a familiar pattern emerges during election seasons: flashy vehicles roam the streets, posters and banners flood cities, and candidates with deep pockets host massive rallies complete with paid attendees and celebrity performers. Often, these candidates are business magnates, landlords, or individuals with inherited political clout.

Take, for instance, the situation in many constituencies across interior Sindh or southern Punjab, where feudal lords—known locally as waderas or sardars—continue to dominate politics generation after generation. Their control over land, resources, and local institutions means that even educated, capable individuals rarely stand a chance of competing unless they align with these traditional power structures. The result? A cycle of underdevelopment, where the same faces return to power with little accountability.

Similarly, in urban areas like Karachi or Lahore, we often see candidates backed by business empires or elite social circles. Their campaign funding gives them a huge advantage, but their connection with the average citizen is often shallow at best. They lack understanding of street-level issues—unemployment, water shortages, health care access—and yet they are elected due to sheer media dominance and financial muscle.

This elite capture of politics distorts the very essence of public representation. When parliament becomes a club for the privileged, policies tend to benefit those already in power, leaving the rest of society underserved and unheard.

Candidate Selection: The Heart of Democratic Integrity, The First Step Towards Change

The root of the problem lies in how political parties choose their candidates. Ideally, a candidate should be someone with a history of community service, a clean reputation, empathy for people’s struggles, and a commitment to good governance. But the reality is far from this ideal.

Political tickets are often sold, not metaphorically, but literally. In some cases, reports emerge of tickets being exchanged for large sums of money or promises of future favors. This makes it virtually impossible for teachers, activists, doctors, or honest bureaucrats—people who truly understand the ground realities—to enter mainstream politics.

Contrast this with the rise of local-level leaders in different regions who have emerged through sheer hard work and a deep connection with the people. Several such individuals have successfully transitioned from grassroots activism into elected office. They have championed reforms in education and health, taken a firm stand against corruption, and maintained strong, ongoing relationships with their communities.

Such leaders show that when citizens elect from within their own ranks—people who have lived their problems—they are more likely to receive practical solutions rather than hollow slogans.

The Price of Campaigning: When Money Drowns Merit

In most underdeveloped democracies, elections are not just contests of ideas—they are contests of wealth. Campaigns cost millions. From printed banners and television ads to staged rallies and social media promotions, candidates are expected to spend far beyond the official spending limits.

In Pakistan, for instance, the Election Commission sets a legal limit for campaign expenditures. But ask any political insider and they’ll tell you the real spending is often ten times higher—unofficial, unrecorded, and unchecked. This opens the floodgates for corruption. Candidates who spend exorbitantly often view their election as an investment, expecting to “recover” their costs through contracts, postings, and political deals once in office.

This environment discourages anyone without financial backing. A schoolteacher who genuinely wants to serve the public cannot compete with a tycoon funding their own helicopter campaign trail. The result is a political system closed off to the very people it is meant to represent.

Reforms and Solutions: Reclaiming the Democratic Spirit

Despite the grim picture, hope is not lost. Several reforms can gradually return politics to the hands of the people:

Transparent Ticket Distribution: Political parties should be legally required to declare the process of candidate selection. Independent boards within parties, composed of civil society members, journalists, and legal experts, can help vet candidates based on merit and ethics, not money or connections.

Strict Enforcement of Campaign Finance Laws: The Election Commission must be empowered with real teeth—able to audit campaign finances, penalize overspending, and disqualify violators without political pressure. Public funding of campaigns for independent or low-income candidates should also be explored.

Merit-Based Entry to Politics: Universities, NGOs, and civic bodies can partner to create leadership training programs aimed at young, capable citizens. Youth parliaments, mock assemblies, and mentorship programs can help prepare the next generation of ethical politicians.

Strengthening Institutions: Media, civil society, and an independent judiciary play a pivotal role in protecting democracy. Investigative journalism must be protected and encouraged. Voter education campaigns—especially in rural and marginalized areas—can change the way people perceive their political power.

 Empowering the Voter: The most powerful reform still lies in the hands of the voter. Citizens must learn to ask questions, demand answers, and reject vote-buying in favor of long-term change. Campaigns like ‘Vote for Change, My Vote, My Voice’ are steps in this direction.

Conclusion

Democracy isn’t just about voting—it’s about who gets to stand for election, why they are chosen, and what they do once in power. If we continue to allow privilege and wealth to dominate our political system, we will only deepen the divide between rulers and the ruled.

But there is another path—a better one. A path where a teacher can challenge a tycoon, where a social worker can stand shoulder to shoulder with a billionaire, and where a citizen’s voice carries more weight than a candidate’s bank balance. This is the democracy we must fight for.

The time has come to reclaim our politics, redefine our leadership, and remind every political party that public office is a sacred trust, not a business venture. Let ballots—not billionaires—shape our future.

Read: Understanding the Ambiguity

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.