ELF-RC----- BUILDING POLITICAL PARTY/IES

Why does the ELF-RC need political parties?

• Political parties are essential to democracy

• Politics matters

• Leaders have to be accounted to their citizens. Political parties have important role to play to ensure this happens.

• If democracy is to function better, political parties need to improve their performance and regain higher levels of trust by the people. This is why ELF-RC decided at their 6^th Congress to transform to mass-base Political Party.

“Countries do not become fit for democracy but through democracy” (Prof. Amartya Sen.).

If political parties are part of the problem, they also have to be part of the solution. Political parties provide a stable and predictable democratic system that is responsive to the needs of the people. Business and the economy thrive in a stable political environment. 

While there is no clear blueprint of what democracy is, it needs to be developed, based on universal principles, according to the specific historical background, geographic and demographic circumstance of each society. Democracy is constructed by the process of inclusive dialogue in which the institutional political framework takes shape and trust in the system is developed. It is a continuous process, in response to the evolution of societies, technologies and people.

In developing trust in the democratic system of governance, the various functions of democracy should be adhered, while elections are essential, they are but part of democracy process, democracy is also about participation, inclusiveness, tolerance and consensus/confidence building and not just about electoral competition and rivalry. To ensure a stable democracy, all these functions need to be carefully balanced.

Political parties are not only competitors but also stakeholders of the political system that citizens expect to function for the common good.

Inter-parties dialogue among the political parties and other civil society actors is essential to meet the challenges that political parties face in the system within which they function and also to enable them to prioritize priorities their needs to build a stronger system.

How do political parties become institutionalized?

Political parties have to evolve a process that closely follows the public sentiment parallels social development. It requires a flexible mix of principles, underlying interests, democratic practices and rational decision-making.

Why are political parties and party systems necessary for a functioning democracy?

• Parties are the main vehicle for political representation.

• Parties are the main mechanism for organizing of government.  

• Parties are key channels for maintaining democratic accountability.

If parties don’t work well, democracy will suffer. Institutional party development can go hand in hand with social development, but it depends on the concerted effort of party activists and all citizens.

Key functions of political parties

• Political party is key institution in democratic elections.

• Mobilizes electoral support for the candidates it puts up, with a view to capturing governmental office.

• Party candidates, leaders, members and activists mobilize and educate voters.

• Parties aggregate interests to offer more easily grasped alternative policies and choices to voters.

Political parties play a key role in the transfer of democratic political and cultural values from one generation to the next which is vital for the stability and orderly evolution of a country.

• Acceptance of pluralism, tolerance, participation, and respect for minorities, majority rule and freedom of expression are some of the key democratic values and practices parties should encourage and strive for.

Institutional political development allows the democratic system to work more effectively. In fragmented multiparty systems, to form a government often means setting up a coalition. Party leaders, both in and out of legislature, are the movers and shakers of coalition formation negotiations. They choose prospective coalition partners, hammer out policy compromises and share out available governmental positions.

How can we tell whether or not a party is on the road to institutionalization?

To be institutionalized credible means to have strength and durability, to be able to withstand crises and present governing alternatives to people. And who is best tested and vested in this regard than ELF_RC? How can someone know whether or not this upcoming new party is advancing toward a greater degree of institutionalization?

There are at least four areas relating to the internal organization (ELF_RC) and as a future party that can provide such criteria:

• organizational strength

• internal democracy

• political identity

• internal party unity

Help your self help us building this mass- base all inclusive party for the betterment of our country.