When inflation-hit and poverty-stricken voters head to polling stations on February 8, after nearly a month of hearing lofty campaign promises designed by parties vying to come to power, they may be forgiven in hoping for better days.

The reality, however, is that they would be sorely disappointed. The plate of economic and fiscal challenges is full and the caretakers have been able to clear only a tiny part of the backlog.

It certainly won’t be a bed of roses for any political party or coalition to rule the country — economically battered and politically bruised by adventures and missteps of the past decade.

In fact, healing these deep economic and social wounds may be a long and arduous process, provided the incoming administration works towards that goal, and voters themselves are willing to absorb more shocks for the sake of better things to come.

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