Holding the Government, Lawmakers,and Representatives Accountable:A Bilateral Mechanism for Self-Auditand Public Scrutiny.A Call for Cultural Change.

DR.FIAZ MAQBOOL FAZILI

Accountability is the bedrock of any democratic society, ensuring that governments and representatives act in the best interests of their constituents. In an ideal democracy, citizens engage actively with their representatives, laws are transparent, and mechanisms exist to measure performance. Yet, in many democracies, accountability begins and ends with elections, leaving a void in the years in between. This article explores how public accountability can be enhanced through bilateral mechanisms of self-audit, regular public scrutiny, and dashboards that foster transparency and trust.
Accountability Beyond Elections- Accountability involves far more than the mere holding of regular, local, regional, national franchise. Elections are a vital part of democracy, but they are not sufficient on their own to hold lawmakers and representatives accountable. While electoral systems are designed to provide citizens the opportunity to evaluate the government’s performance and replace underperforming leaders, this process occurs too infrequently to respond effectively to immediate challenges. In the years between elections, public expectations often clash with government inefficiencies, leading to frustration, disengagement, and sometimes apathy. Accountability, therefore, must become a continuous process, underpinned by mechanisms that regularly evaluate the performance of public representatives, assess the delivery of election promises, and provide citizens with real-time insights into government actions.
Proposing a Bilateral Mechanism for Self-Audit; A bilateral accountability mechanism would involve two key pillars: internal self-audit by government and lawmakers and external public scrutiny through citizen engagement and independent monitoring. Together, these pillars would ensure a robust, transparent, and participatory system that holds everyone accountable.

1. Self-Audit by Lawmakers and Officers by KPIS. Government offices and representatives should embrace self-assessment as a fundamental aspect of accountability. A monthly or quarterly self-audit system could evaluate the following: A.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): A clearly defined set of metrics for lawmakers, ministries, and public officials that align with their mandates and responsibilities. For example, metrics might include the implementation of key projects, progress on infrastructure, healthcare outcomes, or public safety improvements.B.Manifesto Tracking: A dashboard tracking the promises made in election manifestos, highlighting completed, ongoing, and pending commitments.C.Fairness and Equity Assessment: An evaluation of how inclusively laws, policies, and development initiatives are being implemented across different regions and demographics.D.Buisness Operational /Financial Transparency: Regular reports on public expenditure, including budget allocation and spending efficiency.
   Such a system would not only instil a culture of accountability within the government but also provide tangible evidence of performance.
2. Public Scrutiny Through Dashboards with KPis data and Public Darbar’s: Citizens must be empowered to participate in the accountability process. Public scrutiny mechanisms can take many forms, such as: a.) Interactive Dashboards: Technology can play a transformative role in transparency. Online dashboards accessible to the public could display real-time data on government projects, budgets, and performance metrics. These dashboards should also allow citizens to provide feedback on services and report issues.b. Public Darbars (Forums): Monthly or bi-monthly public meetings where representatives meet with their constituents to discuss progress, challenges, and grievances. These forums could be live-streamed to maximize reach and participation.c.Citizen Panels and Committees: Independent panels comprising citizens, experts, and civil society organizations can review government performance, investigate complaints, and publish reports.d. Surveys and Polls: Regular surveys to gauge public satisfaction with government services and policies, providing actionable insights for improvement.
3. Strengthening Institutional Oversight. While self-audit and public scrutiny are essential components of accountability, they must operate within the framework of robust institutional oversight to ensure fairness, impartiality, and effectiveness. Institutions such as the judiciary, anti-corruption commissions, and independent audit agencies play a pivotal role in maintaining the delicate balance of power in a democracy.
   The judiciary serves as the ultimate arbiter of justice, holding individuals and institutions accountable to the rule of law. A strong and independent judiciary ensures that public representatives and officers cannot bypass legal scrutiny. Speedy resolution of cases related to corruption, electoral malpractice, and abuse of power is essential to foster trust in the system. Judicial reforms, including digitization of case records and time-bound resolutions, can further enhance efficiency and transparency.
   Anti-corruption commissions act as watchdogs, investigating and addressing allegations of bribery, nepotism, and misuse of public resources. For these commissions to function effectively, they must operate autonomously, free from political influence or bureaucratic interference. Strengthening these bodies with adequate resources, skilled personnel, and the authority to prosecute offenders is critical.
   Independent audit agencies ensure financial accountability by scrutinizing public expenditure and identifying inefficiencies or irregularities in governance. Their findings should be made publicly accessible and subjected to follow-up action. Empowering these agencies with the tools to conduct real-time audits and ensuring their recommendations are implemented can significantly reduce fiscal mismanagement.
   Ultimately, robust institutions are the backbone of accountability. Their independence, transparency, and capacity to enforce consequences act as a safeguard against systemic failures, ensuring that the mechanisms of self-audit and public scrutiny are upheld within a framework of justice and integrity. Without these institutions, accountability risks becoming a hollow concept, devoid of the enforcement necessary for meaningful change.
   While self-audit and public scrutiny are critical, they must be supported by robust institutions. The judiciary, anti-corruption commissions, and independent audit agencies play a vital role in maintaining checks and balances. Their capacity should be strengthened to ensure impartial investigations into allegations of malpractice or inefficiency.
   Benefits of Continuous Accountability: Implementing a bilateral accountability mechanism offers several benefits:1.Increased Trust: Regular updates on government performance and transparent reporting build trust between citizens and their representatives.2.Improved Efficiency: With clear KPIs and regular reviews, public representatives and officers are more likely to prioritize efficiency and effective governance.3.Reduced Corruption: Transparency and public scrutiny deter corrupt practices and encourage ethical decision-making.4. Enhanced Citizen Engagement: Mechanisms like public darbars and dashboards empower citizens, making them active participants in democracy.
   Challenges and Solutions: Despite its merits, the proposed accountability mechanism may face challenges, including resistance from lawmakers, the digital divide, and the risk of politicization. Addressing these challenges requires thoughtful solutions:a. Resistance from Lawmakers: Some lawmakers may view increased scrutiny as a threat. To overcome this, the mechanism should be presented as a tool for mutual benefit—enhancing both governance outcomes and public trust.b.Digital Divide: In regions with limited internet access, reliance on dashboards may exclude marginalized populations. Public darbars and physical forums can serve as complementary alternatives.c.Politicization of Accountability: To ensure impartiality, citizen panels and scrutiny committees must remain independent, diverse, and free from political influence.
   Accountability and Election Manifestos
   An often-overlooked aspect of accountability is the implementation of election manifestos. Manifestos form the foundation of electoral campaigns, outlining the promises and priorities of candidates and parties. However, once elections conclude, these commitments often fade into obscurity. The bilateral mechanism proposed here can address this gap by incorporating manifesto tracking into the self-audit and public scrutiny processes. For example:1.Manifesto Dashboards: A dedicated section on the public dashboard tracking the status of each promise in the manifesto.2.Progress Reports: Lawmakers should publish quarterly reports detailing the steps taken toward fulfilling their commitments.3.Public Feedback: Constituents should have the opportunity to vote or comment on the relevance and quality of manifesto implementation.
   Accountability Without Delay: Pending the establishment of long-term accountability frameworks, interim measures can help bridge the gap:a. Public Darbars: Holding of Public Darbar by newly elected Cm Mr Omar Abadullah and Chief Executive of medical Institute .Dr .M.Ashraf Ganie Director SKIMs are welcome steps and hailed widely These forums can be implemented immediately at the local level, requiring minimal resources.b.Monthly Progress Briefings: Representatives can issue brief, easily accessible updates on their activities and achievements.c.Community Engagement Platforms: Leveraging existing social media platforms for direct communication with citizens can foster transparency.
   A Call for Cultural Change: Accountability is not merely a structural issue—it is also cultural. For these mechanisms to succeed, a shift in mindset is essential. Public representatives must view accountability as a shared responsibility rather than a burden. Likewise, citizens must embrace their role as active participants in governance, holding their leaders to account constructively and respectfully.
   The essence of democracy lies in its ability to serve the people, and accountability is its most vital tool. While elections provide an essential mechanism for citizens to express their will, they are not enough to ensure continuous oversight and engagement.
   A bilateral accountability mechanism that combines self-audit by lawmakers and officers with public scrutiny through dashboards and forums can bridge this gap, fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and participation. By tracking manifesto commitments, implementing KPIs, and creating inclusive platforms for engagement, we can move closer to a democracy that truly works for the people.
   In a world where governments and lawmakers are often criticized for being disconnected from the needs of their constituents, these measures offer a path forward—one where accountability is not a periodic exercise but a way of governance. After all, democracy is not just about casting votes; it is about ensuring those votes translate into meaningful action, fairness, and progress.
   

The Author besides being a Medical doctor at Mubarak hospital , is very active in positive perception management of various moral, social and religious issues. He can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com & twitter