PD requests a proper public consultation on Constitution

Partit Demokratiku has called for an extension to the public consultation process on constitutional reform, as well as the establishment of a proper constitutional convention with a bottom-up approach to the process.

“In the past three months, we have only had a website, rather than a dialogue or genuine consultation process. Partit Demokratiku has also formally resubmitted its proposals on constitutional reform, aiming for independent institutions and good governance,” the party said.

On 2 August, a public consultation was launched on constitutional reform through the creation of a website where one can submit one’s proposals. The window of opportunity for the general public to make submissions was stated to last for three months, which must now be elapsing as October draws to an end.

“Since the public consultation was launched, there has barely been a squeak about it. Therefore, Partit Demokratiku must ask, does this website really constitute a real public consultation, even if it is well intentioned? To Partit Demokratiku, it appears as if if the general public is mostly unaware of this consultation taking place at all, as there is no discussion or dialogue. Has there really been any public outreach to provoke a debate?”

In November 2018, on the topic of constitutional reform, Partit Demokratiku asked for the “participation of experts in a fully independent capacity without any strings attached” and that it was “non-negotiable for the process to be a success.” While experts are to comb over the submissions made during this online consultation period, Partit Demokratiku must ask what their terms of reference are. Will the identity of these experts be revealed, and are they truly independent?

Partit Demokratiku’s call for a constitutional convention, where all segments of society actively participate in a constitutional reform process, would allow for transparency, genuine discussion and true public engagement. That the general public may make online submissions or send the suggestions by mail may be well intentioned, but does not constitute a genuine public dialogue nor public engagement as it should be. A constitutional convention is the only way for this process to belong to the people, rather than to political elites, the party said.

“It is for these reasons that Partit Demokratiku is calling for the public consultation to be extended, and to be followed up by a genuine constitutional convention, whereby experts and academics chair meetings in the flesh, rather than merely receive suggestions online, and where the terms of reference are known.”