It is that time of the year again. Dozens of parliamentarians don’t submit their assets details, the Election Commission of Pakistan suspends their membership, media revels in their infamy, they do submit their details later on, their membership is restored and everything falls back to routine. Though the practice is a necessary one in a democratic setup, its implementation is a totally different ballgame.
Merely nominating certain individuals each year, without any concrete step, has in fact made a mockery of this institution. A limbless EC speaks volumes of the efforts put in by the government in putting its own house in order. An independent EC, uninfluenced by the political class and strengthened with the backing of a strong legislation, is of paramount importance. After all, it is one of the few tools at the disposal of political dispensation to make the process of elections a fair and free one. While politicians, particularly our lot, do need to submit themselves to accountability, both financial and political sort, it is not evident in their actions. Not willing to disclose what they possess, they are busy manipulating workarounds in such legislations as make their financial dealings more transparent. This trend has to stop immediately as it is only detrimental to the country’s political and democratic institutions.
For the political parties, the episode presents a serious opportunity to look into their own affairs. Many of the suspended members are in the incumbent cabinet or former ministers, including the finance and defence ministers. An across the board transparency and accountability would invite less ire of the international financial institutions, some of whom have suggested measures such as taxing the rich and eradicating corruption. One thing we know for sure is that nothing changes overnight in democracies – it is more of an evolutionary stride than a revolutionary leap. Still, almost four years is a long time to legislate on an independent Election Commission that could take to task such parliamentarians as are habitual of not following its stipulated rules.