Unethical processes continues in the name of democracy (Commentary)

Thimphu, March 07: While it is yet to be announced the formation of the political party and get legal registration at the Election Commission, the polls politics has begun well ahead to that.

The issue has become a subject of debate here in Thimphu even though this has limited itself to upper circle who have dominated the political turnover of the country over the century. 

The commission has repeatedly asked the people to register political party, but none has so far been done. While the constitution is not adopted, registration of political party is restricted under the present law. Neither the parliament has passed any bills permitting the formation of the political parties, which were banned since 1953, not the government has taken any such decision.

According to the election regulation and other by-laws related to that, a political party might be given around Nu 100,000 for one constituency during the primary round of election. An independent candidate in each constituency will get the same amount to contest for a seat in National Assembly and National Council. .

The draft constitution bars any political parties from receiving any financial support from foreign nations or organizations or individuals except by party members.

However, the Public Election Fund Bill will only come into force in 2008 which empowers the commission to establish a public election fund for the political parties and individual candidates. A division to look into this matter will be responsible for submitting estimation of funds required for financing the election campaigns. The report will come into effect once it is approved by the parliament not later than 90 days the parliament gets expired.

The commission will distribute the fund for election campaign to the political parties and individual candidates within 10 working days the applications are submitted. The parties contesting in the primary round will receive the money on condition that they file candidacy in all 20 dzongkhags.

The election act states that upon death, disqualification or withdrawal of a candidate before the general election or elections to the national council, the commission would give a written notice to the bank concerned for stop the campaign account of the candidate. The disqualified candidate must return all amounts he or she received which will then be transferred to replacing candidate on approval of the application submitted.

The commission has prepared all the bills for the election before the constitution is adopted. This is illegal and unethical on the basis of natural phenomenon of laws. The basis of enacting laws without constitution is not acceptable.

This will empower few people at the core but does not strengthen the democracy not help to flourish it and finally mentally compelling the people to accept the authoritarian suppression in the name of democracy. Bhutan News Service/Sangey Oendray