Election watchdog the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) says a President and a Prime Minister under an all-party interim government should be elected with the consensus of all political parties in Parliament.
Issuing a statement, PAFFREL noted that parties should not go for a vote during the process to elect a new President and a Prime Minister.
It added that PAFFREL is of the view from the behaviour of public representatives, that they do not yet understand the economic, political and social instability the country is facing at present.
PAFFREL added that it is the responsibility of political party leaders and Parliamentarians to change the situation.
PAFFREL in its statement set out eight key points which they believe Parliament should adhere to.
- The President and Prime Minister of the interim government must be chosen with the consensus of all the political parties in Parliament.
- Avoid considering the numerical majority of the respective political parties in Parliament when reaching a decision on the above.
- Avoid engaging in activities and expressing opinions that could create any division or unity between political parties.
- Keep aside personal agendas, political agendas or narrow party or power-gaining agendas and put the country and its people first.
- Avoid reaching decisions at this difficult time with the aim of capitalising during any upcoming elections.
- Ensure that at least one individual from all the parties represented in Parliament are included when choosing the next Cabinet of Ministers.
- Also, when choosing the Cabinet, make sure to choose individuals who have not lost the public’s faith and those who are capable of making a positive contribution to solving the economic, social, and political crises and managing the international situation.
- If the President or Prime Minister of an All-Party Government invites you to take up Cabinet Ministerial portfolio, refrain from refusing it.
The statement said PAFFREL believes that all political parties must pay attention to the above matters.
It also said, in selecting the Cabinet, political parties must focus on selecting a creative team that is ready to take on risks and has practice in crisis management that is free from conventionality.
PAFFREL said failure to do so will inevitably intensify the prevailing crisis and lead to a bigger crisis from which the country will not be able to recover.
