A new amendment in the election act brought controversial reforms in the country more trouble for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The current reform in the bill allows the government officeholders, especially parliamentarians, to mobilize the state resources for the election campaign in the polling area. The opposition parties opposed the amendment bill. PTI succeeded in approving the Election act through a joint sitting of Parliament without discussing the bill. The reforms negate the ECP’s framework for the election process.
“Presidential ordinances in the democratic country weakens the Democracy and mitigates the Parliament role.”
PTI government should consult all stakeholders and opposition parties for a better reformation process seeking the national interest. But PTI government damaged the Democracy by approving the ordinances according to its will. PTI relied heavily on the passing of ordinances, ignoring the negotiations talks with the opposition parties. The number of ordinances issued by the President of Pakistan shows the gloomy picture of Democracy. The President of Pakistan issued 75 ordinances from 2018. In four years, 376 bills were tabled in the National Assembly, of which 108 were passed into law while 126 await the consent of the Senate, Upper House of Parliament.
The President can use the right to create law through ordinance but in a critical situation when the President thinks the urgency of action. The situation decides the need for the ordinance. However, the promulgation of laws through ordinances should not become a daily routine as it is happening in the current government. Imran Khan’s government continuously ignored the Parliament regarding consensus on important issues. Constructive discussion in the Parliament in the changes of the electoral process improves the spirit of Democracy. The non-serious attitude of opposition is the major cause of the current situation in Parliament. Opposition parties are always confronted with the government without considering national interest.
PM should concern with the leader of opposition Shahbaz Sharif on ECP nomination. But Imran khan refused to sit with Shahbaz Sharif for any rational decision. PM Imran khan took a unilateral decision bypassing the stakeholders and opposition parties. Unilateral selection of any department head by the government raises concerns in the political parties.
Recent studies showed the decline in Democracy across the globe. The actual democracy percentage is only 46 percent in the present governments. Russia and China structured the authoritarian governments in their countries, negating true Democracy. West countries are trying to improve the democracy level in their governments. Military took over the governments in the Sudan and Myanmar decreased the democracy status across the world.
The Americans stress the restoration of democratic government in the military controlled countries. The recent genocide by the Myanmar military demands the restoration of democratic rule.
Source:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1676590/ordinances-replace-debate
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