The process of constitutional reform must also include the reforming of political parties, in particular the implementation of Political Party Funding and Campaign Finance Legislation. This reform has become absolutely necessary given that political financiers have caused our electoral process to be subverted, and therefore our democracy to become distorted. Our politicians are not driven by the demands of the populace, but rather have as their main objective in most cases, to respond to the calls of those who contribute to their party’s coffers – and so deforming the democracy. This legislation should identify an upper limit for party spending on political campaigns. Additionally, provisions should be made for a specific amount of public funds to be made available for political parties. In this way the need for private party financiers could be reduced, and ultimately eliminated.

Additionally, provisions should be made for a specific amount of public funds to be made available for political parties. In this way the need for private party financiers could be reduced, and ultimately eliminated.

It is recognized that political parties receive a significant amount of financial contributions 'off the record'. This form of financing should be banned and all contributions must be in the books in order to promote greater transparency within our political parties and as a result in the governance process altogether. Also, in an effort to promote greater transparency and stronger democratic practices within political parties and across our national institutions, parties must be required to comply with certain requirements which would include: - being officially registered, this registration would require political parties to submit the names of ALL officers and the constitution and bye laws of the party; presenting annual audited financial statements; and holding regular elections, the results of which are to be reported. 

In the United Kingdom the Political parties, elections and referendums Act, 2000 provides a framework for the regulation of party financing and can serve as a model for local campaign finance legislation. With respect to party financiers, this UK legislation specifies that political parties can only receive contributions from particular organizations and/or individuals which have been appropriately registered - these are referred to as "permissible donors". 

Ensuring that the voters list is kept updated at all times. Maintaining an accurate electoral list can be achieved by cross-referencing various data sources such as the registry of deaths and births, the licensing authority, the immigration division, as well as .billing data from utility companies. Updating the electoral list in a timely manner cannot be achieved by relying on a single source - National ID card information - as presently exists.

Ensuring that Parliament – both Lower and Upper Houses – are spaces where people’s interests are effectively represented is absolutely critical in the governance process, and is a primary objective of the Parliament. Oversight Committees of Parliament are also critical to ensuring that the Parliament provides true representation. These committees include: Public Accounts Enterprises Committee; Municipal Corporations, Statutory Authorities and Service Commissions Committee (with the exception of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission) and a Committee to oversee Public Procurement. At present many MPs who have constituency responsibilities, as well as Ministerial portfolios also sit on these committees. This is an obvious case of overstretched resources and therefore the work of these Committees is often diluted and does not receive the focus and attention it requires. The oversight component of the work of the Parliament is therefore weakened.

We therefore propose that, those MPs appointed via PR who do not belong to the ruling party should serve on these committees. Given that they have been appointed via PR and do not represent constituencies, the problem of overstretched resources described above would be reduced, strengthening the very important oversight function of the Parliament. We have put forward that MPs in the lower house should serve on a full-time basis, Senators would also serve full-time.

Oversight Committees of Parliament are also critical to ensuring that the Parliament provides true representation. These committees include: Public Accounts Enterprises Committee; Municipal Corporations, Statutory Authorities and Service Commissions Committee (with the exception of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission) and a Committee to oversee Public Procurement. At present many MPs who have constituency responsibilities, as well as Ministerial portfolios also sit on these committees. This is an obvious case of overstretched resources and therefore the work of these Committees is often diluted and does not receive the focus and attention it requires . The oversight component of the work of the Parliament is therefore weakened. 

We have put forward that MPs in the lower house should serve on a full-time basis; Senators should also serve full-time. This will enable the Committees to work continuously. 

Standing Committees of Parliament should be set up for key national areas such as National Security, Foreign Affairs and Energy. These Committees would contribute to the process of developing national policy in these areas and assess and monitor the progress of policy implementation. 

In this mixed system of representation, the Prime Minister would be elected directly and simultaneously with the election of MPs to the Lower House. Under the current system, the Prime Ministerial candidates are the leaders of political parties contesting the election, who themselves contest seats and therefore are voted in as MPs, but are not directly voted in as Prime Minister. We put forward, that Prime Ministerial candidates should not contest seats, recalling that the job of a constituency MP will now be full-time, but that citizens would now cast a vote directly for Prime Minister, at the same time that votes are being cast for MPs. This confers an advantage for citizens to have a more active voice in determining the country’s leader, and given that the Prime Minister would not be saddled with constituency obligations, neither the work of the constituency nor the nation’s business is neglected.

The role of these Service Commissions needs to be altered in so far as day to day human resource management is concerned since existing arrangements for promotions and disciplinary matters take far too long. We therefore propose that a system similar to that which now exists for the Police Service could be introduced in the Public and Teaching Services. Thus in a Ministry the Permanent Secretary and Human Resource Officers could be responsible for promotions and disciplinary matters while the Service Commission serves as an Appeals Tribunal for an aggrieved worker. Further, promotions and or appointments to senior positions (Heads of Departments/Divisions, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Permanent Secretaries) would remain the sole purview of the Service Commission; in the case of the Teaching Service, it would be Principals, Vice Principals and Deans.

The establishment of special purpose companies, which has effectively become a parallel public service, is not the answer to improving efficiency in the service. The functions carried out by these companies must be returned to the public service and the employees incorporated into the public service, thus re-professionalizing the service.