I’m trying to learn more about Pakistani Election Law, and so far, I’m pretty horrified with what I’m looking at. Some of the rules are just down right bizarre and undemocratic. I thought I might be reading them wrong, so I was wondering if people who live in Pakistan or follow Pakistani politics more closely may be able to clarify or comment on some of these laws.
So far the most troubling laws I have found are in Article 63A of the Constitution. From what I understand, and I can be wrong, MPs in Pakistan can be expelled from parliament if they vote against their party on certain issues. The language in the Constitution implies this only happens when there is a vote for prime minister or chief minister, a vote of confidence or no confidence or a vote on a money bill.
If this is true, it is grossly undemocratic. This would limit the public will that is otherwise represented in the 100 MPs to just a handful of political parties. MPs must represent their constituents, not their political parties.
So am I reading this wrong or is this accepted practice in Pakistan? Is there a history of people being expelled? Is there even a controversy over this?