Welcome – if done properly
In a first the Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to carry out random audit of asset and liability statements of all lawmakers. The move is welcome considering how the submission of these details by lawmakers had become a mere formality which allowed fudging and under stating of figures. The decision is a result of the activation of ECP’s ‘political finance wing’ which has already suspended 337 lawmakers who had failed to submit the required papers. This move will not only make it mandatory for lawmakers to submit their personal financial statements but also ensure that there are no misrepresentations.
Announcing such accountability and its implementation are two very different things. More often than not such measures become a tool for political victimisation, something we have seen with NAB for instance in the Dr. Asim case which has become a never-ending media trial. The end result is that the practice becomes suspect whereby motives of the institution come under question hence delegitimising the entire process. The institutional integrity and effectiveness of the ECP has been brought into question by opposition parties since the 2013 elections, especially by the PTI.
Currently the ECP faces some high level disqualification references in light of the Panama scandal that include the Prime Minister, his family members who are lawmakers/ministers and opposition leaders in tow. This would be a good opportunity for the election watchdog to mend its reputation by conducting an inquiry that is independent from influence and supported by facts and evidence.
Electoral reform is essential to strengthen our already fragile democracy and is bound to ruffle some feathers. Taking measures such as this audit and the recently announced use of electronic voting machines in by-elections for example is a move in that direction. Whether the ECP is able to carry out all such endeavors in a fair, time bound, transparent and most importantly impartial manner remains to be seen.
