No mandate

This letter refers to the news story ‘ECP actually rebuts SC decision’ (July 20, 2024). I think the confusion surrounding the ECP’s response has arisen because due weight has not been given to the two elements in the concept ‘form and substance’. Moreover, voter turnout of below 50 per cent signifies the rejection of all political parties by the vast majority of voters.

Also, the sharing of minority votes by all political parties has left no party able to form a government on its own. In these circumstances, talking of some party being given a mandate to rule and accusing others of stealing its mandate – as some do – sounds much too far-fetched.

SRH Hashmi

Karachi