Seat adjustment is a term used to describe the mutual support and sometimes the distribution of constituencies between two or more political parties based on some agreements. According to a recent news report, after meetings and discussions between the PML-N leadership and the JUI-F, a decision has been made regarding working relations and seat adjustment, while the PML-N is actively pursuing seat adjustment efforts for general elections and in Sindh.
Earlier, the PML-N leadership had meetings with the leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan), leading to conflicting statements from both parties regarding mutual support and seat adjustment in the upcoming elections, leading to a strained alliance.
The PML-N achieved political success in Balochistan when various political leaders, including JUI-F’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others, joined the party. However, seat adjustment and electoral alliances do not define the essence of democratic practice; democracy is about people choosing their preferred candidates in elections and, once elected, selecting individuals for important positions such as Prime Minister and President.
It is worth noting that the need for seat adjustment rarely arises for political parties that have a substantial majority in the National Assembly and the Senate; rather, it is usually required by “weaker” parties. Although the PML-N is not considered a weak party, meetings with seemingly smaller groups such as MQM and JUI-F for seat adjustment may lead to confusion about the necessity of seat adjustment for the PML-N.
Clearly, the term “seat adjustment” loses its meaning when no seats have been won so far because general elections have not been held, and the public has not cast their votes to elect anyone. In this context, the concept of seat adjustment seems irrelevant.
In reality, all these efforts and maneuvers by different political parties are tactics to smooth their path to power. If the public does not give a significant number of votes to parties like PML-N, MQM, or JUI-F, these parties might form or break alliances to secure their preferred Prime Minister or President.
On the other hand, Imran Khan has not been released from jail yet. Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif, returning as a triumphant former Prime Minister in front of the court, received a grand welcome, and the PML-N’s political ally, the PPP, is expressing dissatisfaction.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says that to build the country and promote development, new political approaches need to be adopted by burying worn-out politics. Instead of trying to make someone Prime Minister for the second or fourth time, give me a chance, he suggests.
While Bilawal Bhutto Zardari did get a chance to become the country’s least experienced Foreign Minister, so far, he has not had the opportunity to become Prime Minister, a position that the PPP, including former President Asif Ali Zardari, desires.
Imran Khan and the PTI should also be given a chance, but the biggest issue for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is that it demanded fresh elections before seat adjustment, and now that seat adjustment is being discussed, the PTI is not saying much.
