POLITICAL party representatives and electoral management bodies from nine Pacific Island countries are meeting in Nadi this week to discuss how the United Nations Development Programme could help build sustainable and effective political parties that result in a more robust political system and, ultimately, inclusive development in each country.
Bakhodir Burkhanov, the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji country director and head of Pacific Regional Policy and Programme, said traditionally UNDP supported parliaments and electoral management bodies as two key political institutions.
However in recent years, UNDP has started to acknowledge that there was a need to support the development of a third political institution — political parties.
“Political parties have a vital role to play in an effective democracy,” said Mr Burkhanov.
“They are a conduit between citizens and civil society and the decision-making bodies such as government and parliament.
“Effective political parties establish and maintain a network of branches and links to all parts of society to enable them to communicate and listen to the needs of citizens.
“These needs should then be articulated as policy and legislation that improves economic and social development for all citizens in a country.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of today’s edition of The Fiji Times or subscribe to our E-edition.
