Daily Times

Sir: Democracy is based on the choice of the people. The very system fails when the mode of selection, i.e. elections, is rigged. Fair and free elections are the topmost requirement for the healthy growth of democracy. The Election Commission of Pakistan should be free of all kinds of political influence. Rule of law should prevail and the constitution should be the supreme law. The sanctity of the constitution should be preserved and justice be imparted. All this needs separation of the judiciary from the executive to foil any unethical pressure to serve vested interests. The Supreme Court judges can be allowed lifetime tenures (until they voluntarily retire) with attractive emoluments. This will alleviate the fears of dismissal from the executive in case any pressure on them is resisted. Equal fair play should be allowed to all.

Freedom of speech and actions should be granted to everyone. Members of the assemblies should be allowed to play their part. Every policy and law by the government should be based on the consensus of the majority. Merit-oriented examinations should be introduced for the bureaucracy. The civil servants have played a vital role in rigging elections in the past, and those who resist, are labelled Officer on Special Duty (OSD), away from benefits and privileges of the esteemed institution. Political pressure on them should be taken as a legal offence and prosecuted in the courts. Democracy is the only political system that can be acceptable to the people who are ruled. The benefits of democracy can be seen all around us. All developed and rapidly developing countries today are predominantly democracies. India can be quoted as a very close and relevant example.

SYED KAZMI

Lahore