Parliamentary system vs         Presidential system of                Democracy- part 2

Table of contents:

• Presidential system of Democracy.

Presidential System of Democracy;

We discuss on Parliamentary System of democracy in part # 1. Today we will discuss on Presidential system of Democracy.

1 – Elections

Election of President:

1. The President and Vice President of a country is directly elected by voters. Every voter cast his/her vote to his/her favorite candidate. Usually President and Vice  President are the candidate of  the same political party.If a voter cast his/her vote for A,  candidate for President, it is understood that his/her vote goes to B, candidate  for Vice President. Votes are counted and candidate securing majority of votes declared as the winner as President including the vice president.
2. If the present president wants to contest for another term, he/she should step down  from his/her office 3 months before the election day. The  Chairman of national  Assembly will carry on the responsibilities as acting president for 3 months. Rules can be set for Acting President what to do and what not to do. Usually the Acting President is expected not to take such action which has strong effects on country economy or build a wall of difficulties for  the next government.

Election for Governor:

1. Voter should vote directly for Governors of the provinces and elections should be held on the same day with presidential election. There is no post for Prime Minister and Chief Ministers.
2. Elections for Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies;

All members of Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies  must be elected from voters. Voters will cast their votes to their favorite candidate and securing the highest  number of  votes will be winner.

Here is a point to note. Some people who do not get the support of any political party, or do not get the ticket of any party , they will contest the election as ” Free” candidate. If a “free” candidate wins the election, every political party will try to gain  his/her sympathies  to have majority in the Assembly. Here the “Free” elected member increases his/her price , which is , some time a ministry of his/her own choice. This is highly hated type of corruption, and should be stopped immediately. No “Free” candidate should be allowed by law, to contest an election. Many people will argue that this is against the human rights given by the constitution. I agree, but if such restriction is imposed for some years, say 10 or 15 years , in the interest of the country, i believe, it is not so bad. We should close tightly all holes to stop the corruption.

Local Bodies Election:

Local Bodies are the basic step to democracy. Voters elect their representatives  of a small ward. Such representatives know well the local issues.
Unfortunately, Local Bodies in Pakistan are mostly ignored since 1947 and  a  strong  feeling of being ignored is developed in the  mind of common people.
Local Bodies should have enough controlled power and funds to carry out development works. They should have:

• Their own police.
• Enough funds.
• Power to impose and collect taxes which will be spent in their areas.
• A conciliation court to settle minor dispute in the area.
• Power to pass/reject any building plan in the area. Such approved/rejected  plan should be sent to the Planning Department of the city corporation/cantonment board. Members of National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies can make some suitable rules for Local Bodies to carry on their work smoothly.

We can see that voters have direct participation in all elections , it will make the voters more mature to choose the right candidate.

Since there is no Prime Minister and Chief Ministers of the provinces, it will reduce the expenditures which can be spent on country development.

(TO BE CONTINUED)