Elecotral Reform [Feb 20, 2001]

ate: Tue Feb 20, 2001 6:48 am
Subject: Re: [ALOCHONA] Elecotral Reform


I have to be agreed with Farida Majid regarding the points she raised about
the responsibility of a parliament member. I beleive that it happened
because our mass people are not concious about their RIGHTs. Most of the
people is convinced by the concept that their role in the democratic system
is limited to the voting power only. They never think about the
accountability of the elected members afterward the election. As a result
the leaders can PLAY as they wish.

"Opposition" means only oppose all the activities of government. This is the
BASIC of our current parliamentary democracy. If we look at the period
1991-2000, we can see the same thing for all the opposition party. All the
parliament members are not the part of government. Only treasury bench
members who is called as ruling party will have the right to take all the
action as a government. Others will play in and outside of the parliament.

Then why we have a provision of 300 members for the parliament? If the
opposition party members are not part of the government, then why we SHOULD
have election for all 300 constituancies? Rather we should have Presidential
sysment and the President will select the parliament members as he like!!

A citizen vote for a candidate with this concept that elected member will be
the part of a government. I know very little about the jobs of a parliament
member. But I am sure that parliament is the best place for a member to be
acted for any public issue. Walk out or Resign from the parliament is not
unexpected in the parliamentary democracy. It can be happen in any country.
Any member can submit his risignation to the speaker any time. But leave the
parliament for an unlimited time can NOT be an act of a responsible
member(and enjoying all the related facilities).

Every member should have the commitment for the people who have elected him
for a certain period. If he fail to act or fight for the peoples right in
the parliament, he should resign from the parliament. Then he can start his
movement in the street. But that is not what we are seeing now. Enjoying
facilities from government and acting as an anti-government activist can't
ensure peoples right. There is a BIG difference between the TALKING and
ACTING.

I want to conclude quoting Farida Majid:
"Can we raise the level of our understanding of what a democratic process
really entails and what the responisibilites really are?"

My answer:: Yes, we can. But number of our REAL educated people should be
increased to 80% of total population(i am not talking about the just
literacy rate). To achieve this goal may be we have to wait another 50
years. We are waiting to see the positive change even in our old age.


Peace for all.

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**Note: My article in Alochona