By Nasratu Kargbo
Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Bernadette Lahai has asked that the threshold for the Proportional Representation (PR) be lowered in order to ensure inclusivity. She made this call on the 1st November 2022 at an engagement organized by the Chairman of Political Affairs in Parliament Kandeh K. Yumkella to discuss various issues which included the proposed PR system.
“We must agree as a nation on an appropriate threshold level that will help us achieve inclusivity, if the threshold level is high, only one or two major parties will sit in this parliament” said Lahai.
She explained that if the threshold is high, it will defeat the argument that the system is one that ensures inclusivity and that different political parties smaller and newer parties, minority groups and marginalized groups would be represented in parliament.
Comparing the two systems, Lahai highlighted that under the First Past the Post (FPTP) system in 2012 the country had the lowest political representative in parliament with only two parties, and that highest representation was experienced under the PR system in1996 with six political parties.
The Former MP was quick to note that under the FPTP, independent candidates were allowed to contest and that such candidates were not accepted in PR. She however stated that the country can create a system that allows independent candidates under the proposed system.
She stated that there have been debates that women will be favoured under the PR system, and gave statistics of women representatives in parliament over the years in both system, stating that much improvement has not been made in that regard.
Lahai added that there should be a way to make representatives accountable to their people, noting that from the debates she has heard against the system, many believe that MPs will accountable to their political parties instead of their representatives.
The Executive Director of Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) Andrew Lavalie said in the country’s 2002 elections when a PR system was used, the threshold was 5%, stating that the same should be practiced.
He stated that when selecting a system, it should not be one that paves the way for two party system, but one that allows an inclusive multi-party system. Lavalie stressed that such could only be achieved if the threshold is lowered.
Just like Lahai, Lavalie noted that if the country is to use the PR system, it should be backed with an affirmative action to include other members in society, noting that it should not be a manipulative one.
He said the discussion on the right political system should be centred on how the country can get a productive and accountable parliament and institution, and not on how political parties make it to parliament.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (04/11/22)
