As a legal practitioner and a member of the Pakistani community, it is incumbent upon me to express my apprehensions about the conduct of certain politicians who resign from their elected positions to solely gratify the ego of their party leaders. Such conduct not only subverts the democratic process but also evinces a paucity of ethics and morals.
In a democratic society, the election of politicians constitutes a pivotal facet of the governance process. Nevertheless, what occurs when politicians elected to represent people relinquish their positions? Should they be permitted to contest elections again, particularly from the same constituency? This query has arisen in Pakistan and several other countries across the world.
Primarily, resigning from a public office constitutes a breach of the trust reposed in the elected representatives by the people. Article 5 of the Constitution of Pakistan mandates that loyalty to the State is a fundamental obligation of every citizen. Elected officials are entrusted with the duty of representing the people and upholding the State’s values. By tendering their resignations, they effectively betray the trust of the electorate that elected them and flout their fundamental duty as citizens.
The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right of citizens to participate in the democratic process by electing their representatives. Article 17 of the Constitution confers the right to form political parties and contest elections. Additionally, the Constitution imposes an obligation on elected representatives to serve their constituents to the best of their abilities. In the event of resignation, the Constitution mandates that by-elections be held to fill the vacant seat. However, it is unacceptable when politicians resign to placate their party leaders’ ego.
Furthermore, allowing politicians who have resigned to contest elections again sets a dangerous precedent. It sends a message that politicians can shirk their responsibilities and still be eligible to contest elections. This undermines the integrity of the democratic process and erodes the people’s trust in the political system.
This behavior is not limited to Pakistan. There are instances of politicians in other countries who have done the same thing. In the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, expelled twenty-one Members of Parliament who refused to support his Brexit strategy. These MPs subsequently resigned from their parties, some from their parliamentary seats. Similarly, in the United States, former President Donald Trump has often publicly criticized and insulted members of his own party, including his former Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, and Senator Mitt Romney. Moreover, in China, the ruling Communist Party exercises control over the political process and the selection of representatives.
In each of these countries, the public and the media have censured these politicians for their lack of ethics and morals. Furthermore, they have been held accountable through legal and political means. For instance, in the UK, many of the expelled MPs contested the subsequent general election as independent candidates or joined other parties. Some emerged victorious, while others lost. In the US, Mitt Romney has retained his Senate seat, and Jeff Sessions lost in his bid for re-election. In China, however, the political system is less transparent, and the ruling party retains stringent control over the political process.
In Pakistan, such politicians undermine the democratic process and foster a sense of distrust among the electorate. If elected representatives resign to gratify their party leaders’ ego, they betray the trust reposed in them by the people. They also contravene the tenets of democracy and the rule of law. As a result, the people of the constituency lose confidence in the political process, and there is a risk of voter apathy in future elections. Moreover, holding by-elections to fill vacant seats is a costly process that demands time, resources, and money. If a politician resigns solely to satisfy the ego of their party leader, the by-election becomes an avoidable expenditure for the public treasury.
To conclude, the act of resigning solely to satisfy the ego of a party leader is unethical and immoral. It violates the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Furthermore, it undermines public confidence in the political process and creates mistrust among the electorate. While the legal framework in Pakistan allows for such politicians to be held accountable, it is up to the public to demand ethical and moral behavior from their elected representatives. In the end, it is the people who hold the power to shape the future of their country.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ameer Mukhtiar
Advocate
Contributor
Well said brother we have to think about it for our future