Democracy Flashcards
Quotation
Grabber on Democracy - leading to vote-buying, unchecked power, and unsustainable debt.
The democratic system has evolved around the colonial mandate of civilizing the natives and patrimonialism. The result is that votes are given not based on ideologies or ideas, but on expected giveaways, as well as the provision of rights through official largesse! This immature democracy regards elections only as gaining unchecked power to control the country’s resources. The waste of this imperial democracy has led to unsustainable levels of debt.
Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haque, PIDE, January 2024
Quotation - Colonial System Impedes Modernization and Market Trust
The continued colonial system impedes modernizing society while also retaining a deep suspicion of markets! Inheritors of the colonial system continue to expand the colonial lifestyle at a huge cost to the budget. City centers, often the crucible of investment and innovation, are occupied by offices and housing for the officials and judges. Bureaucrats run city development and regulation to their benefit
Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haque, PIDE, January 2024
Argument - Negative effect of Pakistan’s Election Act 2017 on Government Formation and Coalition Politics
According to Chapter IX of the Election Act 2017, political parties in Pakistan can be established by “anybody of individuals or association of citizens” with at least 2,000 registered members. This has led to over 200 parties competing in the 2018 election cycle, resulting in scattered seats and difficulties in forming a government. Parties with few seats often impose conditions on prospective ruling parties for coalition agreements, driven by personal interests rather than constituency needs. This dilutes the government’s ideological base, wastes resources, and causes parliamentary deadlocks.
2024 - 175 Number of Political Parties (ECP)
2013 - 107
2013 0 148
Charter of Economy: Petition to all political leaders/Political Parties
Argument - Dominance of Families and Dynasties in Pakistan’s Political Landscape
The political scene in Pakistan is largely controlled by powerful families and dynasties, making it difficult for individuals outside these established groups to enter politics or succeed in elections.
Section 208 of the Elections Act 2017 lacks sufficient guidance for genuine intra-party democratic elections. The Election Commission often fails to enforce these rules, making intra-party elections mere formalities rather than true democratic processes. This reinforces existing dynastic and personality-based power imbalances in most Pakistani political parties.
Argument - Reinforcement of Power Asymmetries Through Party Discipline
Power imbalances are further entrenched when parliament members with party tickets are restricted from expressing opinions outside the party leadership.
Solution - Proposed Reforms for Political Party Eligibility and Local Competition
To improve electoral integrity, impose stricter prerequisites for parties to appear on the ballot. Require parties to demonstrate a minimum support base, such as at least 50,000 members, with 30% being women, before they can enlist for elections. Additionally, encourage local political competition by mandating that parties show a minimum number of supporters in each district of a province before being allowed to contest for its assembly.
PIDE, Reform Manifesto Transforming Economy & Society, Jan 2024
Solution - Mandatory Intra-Party Elections and Open Conventions for Electoral Participation
Require political parties to hold regular intra-party elections at least once every three years and an open party convention annually before they can compete in elections. These elections should be conducted publicly and supervised by an independent third party, such as the Election Commission, to ensure transparency, fairness, and legitimacy.
PIDE, Reform Manifesto Transforming Economy & Society, Jan 2024
Solution - Mandatory Disclosure of Financial Reports for Election-Competing Parties
Political parties must publicly disclose independently audited financial reports to participate in elections. This requirement enhances transparency and accountability, reducing the risk of financial misconduct and increasing public trust in the political process.
Solution - Requirement for Periodic Manifestos from Political Parties
All political parties must produce a periodic manifesto outlining their proposed reforms. This ensures clarity on their policy positions and commitments, enhancing accountability and allowing voters to make informed decisions based on the parties’ stated plans and priorities.
Argument - Five-Year Term Limit vs Average Tenure of 2Ys & 10Ms
According to Article 52 of the Constitution of Pakistan, both national and provincial assemblies serve for five years from their first meeting. Recent experience reveals that over time, parliament becomes contentious, fragmented, and often inactive. The electoral pressure intended to keep the government accountable fails to consistently ensure effective governance and legislative productivity.
Argument - Problems of Single Election Deciding All Levels of Government
In Pakistan, the Senate, the President, and all levels of government are determined in a single election. This consolidation can lead to an overemphasis on party politics and election strategy, potentially overshadowing the need for effective governance and nuanced representation at various levels of government.
Argument - First Past the Post (FPTP) System and Its negative Impact on Government Formation
Pakistan’s use of the “First Past the Post” (FPTP) system allows governments to form with only a third of the total votes. For instance, in 2013 and 2018, PML-N and PTI secured 33% and 32% of votes but formed governments through alliances with independents and smaller parties. This system can result in disproportionate representation, where a party with a minority of votes can hold majority power, potentially undermining the democratic principle of proportional representation and leading to fragmented governance.
2018 - 31.8%, 2013 - 32.8%, 2008 - 26.1%, Source to data ECP
Argument - Flaws in Party Ticket Distribution and Its Impact
The current practice of party ticket distribution in Pakistan is flawed and undemocratic, as allocations are based on the preferences of party leaders. This process can lead to favoritism, lack of transparency, and limited opportunities for merit-based candidates, undermining democratic principles and reducing the representativeness and effectiveness of elected officials.
Argument - Political Interference in the Election Commission and Interim Setup
Historically, concerns have been raised about political interference affecting the Election Commission and interim setup in Pakistan. Critics argue that political pressures and influence compromise the impartiality of the electoral process, potentially leading to biased outcomes and diminished trust in the electoral system.
Argument - Cost and Impact of Multiple Seat Contests on Election and Government Formation
Conducting elections is costly, with expenses further escalating when candidates contest multiple seats to ensure their entry into the Assembly. This practice can also affect or delay the formation of the government by complicating the allocation of seats and extending the time required for finalizing a stable government.
Solution - Proposal for Staggered Elections: Annual Election Mechanism
Consider adopting a staggered election mechanism where elections are held every year for different levels of government. This approach could ensure continuous democratic engagement, frequent accountability, and gradual updates to governance structures, potentially leading to more responsive and representative government.
Solution - Reforming Ticket Distribution: Collective Decisions and Inclusivity
The ticket distribution mechanism should be based on collective decisions within the party, incorporating considerations for gender and minority representation. This reform could enhance fairness, promote diversity, and ensure that a broader range of voices and perspectives are represented in the electoral process.
Solution - Proposal for Direct Senate Elections and Contested Reserve Seats (All Seats of Parliment)
Every seat in Parliament should be contested, including a shift to direct Senate elections instead of the current indirect method. Additionally, reserve seats should be eliminated from the nomination process and made available for contestation in general elections. This approach could enhance democratic representation, ensure broader voter participation, and increase the accountability of elected officials.
Solution - Proposal for Hybrid Voting: Integrating Internet and E-Voting Procedures
Consider adopting hybrid voting systems that include internet and e-voting procedures. Given that banking transactions are securely conducted online, implementing similar technology for voting could enhance accessibility, streamline the electoral process, and position Pakistan as a leader in modern voting practices.
Solution - Proposal for Alternate Voting Mechanisms
Consider adopting alternate voting mechanisms such as proportional representation, ranked choice, second-round voting, and NOTA (None of the Above). These methods can improve electoral fairness, ensure more accurate representation of voter preferences, and enhance the democratic process by providing voters with more options and reducing the influence of strategic voting.
Solution - Proposal to Rethink Interim Government and Election Timing
Rethink the current election arrangement involving an interim government that conducts elections over three months. Eliminate the interim setup and conduct elections within three weeks by the incumbent government, with oversight from an independent election commission. This change could expedite the electoral, streamline the electoral process, reduce delays, and enhance efficiency in transitioning to a new government.
Solution - Ensuring Independence of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)
The independence of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) must be ensured both in letter and spirit. The ECP should be fully empowered to make decisions regarding the conduct of elections without external interference. Learning from neighboring countries with independent electoral bodies can provide valuable insights for strengthening the ECP’s autonomy and effectiveness.
Solution - Prohibition on Contesting Multiple Seats
Candidates should be prohibited from contesting multiple seats in elections. This rule would streamline the electoral process, reduce complications in seat allocation, and promote a clearer and more efficient government formation.
Argument - Flaws in Pakistan’s Electoral Campaigns: prioritizing spectacle over substance.
Pakistan’s electoral campaigns are criticized for their inherent flaws, including their exclusionary nature and extravagant displays. The prevailing system features grand rallies, expensive vehicles and sound systems, and elaborate feasts, all of which entail significant financial costs. This extravagance not only excludes candidates with fewer resources but also undermines the democratic process by prioritizing spectacle over substance.
The financial barriers imposed by extravagant electoral campaigns exclude ordinary individuals from the political arena. This exclusion creates a significant gap between the people and their representatives, undermining the fundamental principles of democracy by limiting participation to those with substantial financial resources.
Solution - Rethinking Campaign Expenditures: Ensuring Transparency and Inclusivity in Electoral Campaigns
Rationalizing and Enforcing Campaign Expenditures
- Rethink Traditional Campaign Models: Limit election rallies, feasts, and extravagant campaigns to ensure a more inclusive and equitable approach. Each campaign event must be followed by a detailed public account of sources and uses of funds.
- Allocate Public Spaces for Campaigns: Designate public grounds, schools, and open spaces in every city and town for electoral campaigns during specified periods. This measure can help control costs, enhance transparency, and level the playing field for all candidates.
Solution - Mandating Concrete Plans and Policies for Candidates
Require candidates to present specific plans and policies, encouraging substantive debate and allowing voters to make informed decisions based on proposed solutions to constituency issues.
Argument - Nepotism and Patronage in Candidate Selection
The selection of candidates for both houses is often driven by nepotism and patronage, undermining merit-based representation. Party leadership demands unwavering loyalty from elected members, and political families often consolidate leadership roles within their own circles.
Argument - Low Attendance of Prime Minister in National Assembly
The Prime Minister’s low attendance in the National Assembly undermines the legislative process and accountability, impacting effective governance and oversight.
Raja Pevaiz Ashraf 21%, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif 14%, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi 19%, Imran Khan 11%, Mian Muhammad Shebaz Sharif 17% (The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT)
Argument - Frequent Issuance of Ordinances
The excessive issuance of ordinances undermines the legislative process and bypasses the normal parliamentary scrutiny, leading to potential issues with accountability and transparency.
12th National Assembly - 30
13th Nationa Assembly - 20
14th National Assembly - 8
15th National Assembly - 15
(The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT))
Argument - Unaddressed Agenda Items
Numerous agenda items are left unresolved, affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of parliamentary proceedings and delaying important legislative and policy decisions.
99.45% maximum agenda items left over in a sitting
50.53% Average Agenda items left over per sitting Aug 2018-Aug 2023)
(Pakistan Instute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT)
