The Role of Feudal Politics in District Charsadda: An Analysis of the 2018 & 2024 General Elections

Abstract

This study examines issues of the continued influence of old politics of feudalism that influence the performance of the District of Charsadda in the elections of 2018 and 2024. Nevertheless, despite the transformations in the landscape of democratic institutions, old systems of power prevail in rural Pakistan due to the ownership of land and the relation to the family and traditional matters. This study is concerned with the way the feudal elites maintain their power through the distribution of jobs or other subsidies, control of rural institutions, and economic control. The research technique employed is qualitative, and that includes interviewing, focus group analysis, and document analysis to demonstrate how feudal actors maintain their power. The two elections revealed the fact that feudal families exerted great influence on who they wanted to be the candidates, the acquisition of votes, and the making of political narratives. Most people in rural Charsadda kept voting for the same party because of their tribal membership, family pride, and strong social expectations, which made issue-based politics less significant. New political groups and reform-focused candidates struggled against the existing systems, unsuccessful because they lacked means, a strong party structure, and faced strong influence from traditional networks. While more and more young people, city dwellers, and those with a higher level learn have become politically aware, their impact on elections is still quite small due to various limits in demographics and the system. Implementing reforms for elections, land management, investing in education, and giving authority to local offices are all suggested to reduce the influence of feudalism and strengthen people’s participation in politics. It argues for government systems that bring together those in power and those who wish to see democracy in action. This study benefits the study of rural politics in Pakistan and guides policy-makers, reformers, and experts aiming to understand changes in democracy and elections in South Asia.