Respecting rights of citizens
A DEMOCRATIC system encompasses principles that regulate the act of governance, which prioritises the needs and well-being of citizens in a manner that reflects the ethos of government of the people, for the people and by the people.
The rights of citizens are respected and protected within this democratic system through various regulatory institutions.
The most important thing is the right to choose their own government. Thus, the right to vote is sacrosanct. There should not be any attempt by any quarters to coerce or threaten other citizens from exercising their right to vote. In fact, every effort should be made to help them to exercise this right.
Therefore, the #UndiRosak movement to influence the people not to vote is infringing on one of the fundamental rights of democracy. One may opt not to vote, which is a personal choice, but one may not impose on others to refrain from voting. This is in fact a crime. It is different from influencing the people not to vote for a specific party and to vote one’s own, which is a normal campaign strategy.
Another element that impinges on the citizens’ right to choose their representatives is gerrymandering, which manipulates the geographical distribution of voters to favour a political party. The delineation of voters should be based on constitutional directives.
Most important is the role of the Election Commission to facilitate the citizens in voting for their preferred representatives and political parties. It is imperative that the EC be a disinterested party beholden to no one but to the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
Likewise, all other agencies such as the Registrar of Societies should not be partisan but respect the peoples’ rights to form a political organisation.
Other government bodies, such as the police that grants permits for gatherings, should facilitate the process for people to exercise their rights of assembly and freedom of expression within the bounds of law.
Political parties should not employ dubious means such as vote buying, dissemination of fake news on opponents and manipulating state or federal assets to serve their political campaign. Public funds and assets must be confined to official usage, while political businesses should be funded from the party’s own funds.
Parliament is an important facet of a democratic governance that serves the peoples’ interests. It is in this august house that the voice of the people is heard through their elected representatives by way of deliberations and debates conducted in parliamentary decorum.
It is in this house that matters of governance are deliberated with the sitting government pre- senting bills and to enact laws for the benefit of the people and the nation. And the Opposition plays the role of check and balance to ensure that all matters to be approved and implemented adhere to the democratic principles and are guided by the Constitution of the nation.
Parliament is a place where representatives of the people should exhibit the highest standard of integrity and conduct themselves with decorum befitting their position. It is a place where truth and justice must prevail and no effort should be made to mislead or create deception.
Be reminded that Parliament is not a place to serve only sectarian interests but one where the wellbeing of the nation takes precedence over political rigmarole.
The various instruments of governance should contribute towards realising the democratic principles that uphold the rights, integrity and well-being of the citizens and the nation.
The most important thing is the right to choose their own government.