Wives, cronies and company

Old parties’ leaders have given more ammunition to those who argue that PR is irredeemably corrupt.

After months-long bickering over the selection of candidates for lawmakers under proportional representation (PR), the seven political parties that qualified for PR seats submitted their lists of choices on Saturday night. As in the past, the major political parties have disappointed many by not making appointments as per the spirit of inclusiveness incorporated in the new constitution. The PR system was adopted after years-long debates to ensure representation of historically underrepresented or never-represented sections of society. However, the PR lists are filled with the kith and kin of powerful leaders, big financiers and party-hopping opportunists. Such activities only substantiate suspicions of fishy dealings in the PR candidate selection process.