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Privatising democracy-II

Using the psychological authority of Operation Clean-up in Sindh, we have a superb chance to create a model for actually transferring power from selected officials to the elected representatives of the people. Unless we can correct the anomalies in the very concept of the type democracy that is presently in operation in Pakistan, this will remain an exercise in self-delusion, to the continuing detriment of our poor, suffering masses.

To ensure that electoral power has a wide base, the effort must be to ensure that almost every person in every constituency has some representation on the “Corporate Boards” of the basic unit, i.e. Precinct (or Thana), which should have around 50,000 people. While we cannot follow the model of a corporate structure, having a pro-rata equation between the number of shares and the Directors, this can only be done by electing a slate of representatives instead of following the present practice of electing one candidate having a simple majority only. A survey of election pattern shows that because of the division/distribution of votes a person getting only 22% of the votes (or even less) can get elected, in effect disenfranchising 78% of the balance of the electorate till the next elections. An elected slate of 15 candidates per constituency (i.e. the first 15 getting the maximum votes in priority) will ensure that almost everyone in a constituency has someone to represent his/her interests. A second run-off election can clearly determine the voters preference in priority.

Those in the slate getting the maximum number of votes have an option to go upto the next higher level i.e. the Union or District Council, three to the Union, two to the District, thus leaving a “Corporate Board” of 10 at the Thana level, with a run-off election on adult franchise at each level, Union or District, to decide upon the respective Chairmanship. While this may be an expensive exercise, it is much cheaper than going through political crisis every few years. To ensure that the elected representatives have a say in the development work of their constituencies, bureaucrats should only be entrusted with auditing the accounts. Taxation should also be decentralized to the Thana level with a direct relationship between the collecting of revenues and expenditures. With taxation decentralized to the grassroots level, there will be that much less leakage of revenues.

There is need to reform our system pragmatically, to give democracy the desired and logical conclusion of mass aspirations. This can only be done by “privatising” democracy.

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