On the role of parliament to make the executive accountable.

With the general elections for the parliament just one week away, the campaigning for the parliamentary seats are at its peak. With the record number of candidates contesting for the 77 seats, run up to this election so far has been very interesting if not awe-inspiring. "for the first time" are so many things in this election. Just to mention a few, this is the first time parliament is elected after official functioning of a party system began. first time parliament is elected after the new constitution was enacted, first time so many seats are introduced, for the first time, candidates are running under the tickets of political parties and the list can go on.

One of the interesting arguments or rather concern expressed by the opposition candidates in general is that the the key role of the parliament in a presidential system is to make the government accountable and hence if parliament is controlled by the same as the executive, it cannot make the government accountable. "making the government accountable" no doubt is an important role of the parliament, but what does it actually means?

Does it mean that the parliament will confront the government in every step of the way? or does it mean that the parliament will be there to show all negative implications of whatever the government does? or does it mean the parliament will act to discredit the government wherever and whenever possible to gain postive points for the parliament or for the political party or alliance the members fall into?

Or on the other hand, does it mean that the parliament will provide support and assistance to the government in its work to fulfill its promise to the public?

In a parliamentary system the executive will be led by the party who holds a majority of the parliament. the rationale for this is very simple. the legislature who makes all laws and regulations will assist or rather will be part of the executive who works to implement and run projects for the overall betterment of the general pubic.

Although in a presidential system its not necessary to have a majority in the parliament for a party to run the executive, the reasoning or the advantage of having a majority in parliament will be same as that of a parliamentary system. The end result is betterment of people.

The opposition taking the argument as their campaign slogan intends to misinform public and to create a fear in order for them to win votes ... when the truth is that just having a majority in the parliament by ruling party by itself is not necessarily harmful or bad for a nation, when in fact it will only be an additional strength for the executive for the successful implementation of its promises to the public.

we have to also realize people are the fourth and the final power in a democratic system, whenever undesirable circumstances aggravates ... c'mon people r not dead!