Improving Political Representation in Democracy.pdf

Improving Political Representation in Democracy. An initiative by Governance Innovation Labs.

1. 01
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Choose the Candidate
Know the Candidate
Be the Candidate
Match the Candidate
Improving Political
Representation in
Democracy
by Government Innovation Labs
-Abraham Lincoln
“Democracy is the government of
the people, by the people, for the
people.”
Four Policy
Recommendations

2. A. Choose the Candidate
Focus:
Democratizing of Candidate Selection Process
Recommendations:
A.1. Internal Party Selection and Public Involvement
A.1.1: Engage party members at all levels, particularly the grassroots,
in voting for shortlisted candidates.
A.1.2: Implement public polling to choose candidates for parties,
encouraging broader public engagement.
A.2. Media-Facilitated Selection
A.2.1: Media platforms to conduct public voting for party candidates
A.2.2: Non-Party specific public voting for candidates irrespective of
party affiliation
A.3. NGO-Facilitated Selection
A.3.1: NGOs to facilitate public voting for selecting candidates,
within the party
A.3.2: Voting conducted by NGOs for representatives irrespective of
party affiliation
Rationale:
Broader participation ensures that candidate selection is not limited to
a few elite politicians and encourages diverse representative
candidates. With public support these processes will enable deserving
candidates to be on the ballot to represent the political party. By
involving a wider range of participants, the selection process can reflect
the preferences and needs of a more diverse electorate, thereby
fostering greater trust and legitimacy in the political system. This
approach democratizes the candidate selection process and empowers
individuals at the grassroots level, making politics more accessible and
reflective of the community’s diversity.
B. Know the Candidate
Focus:
Complete transparency about background information of
candidates
Recommendations:
B.1. The Election Commission should release unbiased,
comprehensive introduction videos for candidates, covering
their personal, academic, professional and political
backgrounds.
B.2. Ensure candidates, and parties make their ideologies, and
prioritized issues, public to help voters make informed
decisions.
Rationale:
Transparency helps voters make informed decisions, building
trust and credibility in the democratic process. When voters
have access to comprehensive and unbiased information
about candidates, they can make choices that better align
with their values and ideologies. This transparency also holds
candidates accountable, as they must publicly stand by their
platforms and past actions, thus reducing the likelihood of
misinformation and enhancing the overall integrity of the
electoral process.

3. C. Be the Candidate
Issue:
Encouraging New and Diverse Candidates
Recommendations:
C.1: Simplify the process for new candidates from diverse
backgrounds to enter politics.
C.2: Use online platforms for candidate registration, fundraising,
and voter communication.
C.3: Create opportunities for candidates to directly pitch
themselves to voters, ensuring authenticity and personal
engagement.
Rationale:
Making the entry process more accessible fosters youth
participation and diverse representation in politics. Simplifying
the process reduces barriers to entry, encouraging more
individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups, to
consider running for office. This diversification is crucial for a
healthy democracy, as it ensures that a variety of perspectives are
included in decision-making processes, leading to more
comprehensive and representative policies.
D. Match the Candidate
Focus:
Ideological Transparency and Voter Engagement
Recommendation:
D.1: Ensure candidates publicly state their ideologies and
prioritized issues.
D.2: Develop digital platforms and apps that enable voters to
relate to candidates, participate in live-streamed debates, and
match ideologies.
Rationale:
Clear communication of ideologies helps voters align with
candidates who represent their values and enhances political
engagement. By understanding where candidates stand on key
issues, voters can make more informed choices that reflect their
own beliefs and priorities. Digital platforms and live debates
further enhance engagement by providing interactive and
accessible means for voters to connect with candidates, fostering
a more dynamic and participatory electoral process.