We are glad that the court has confirmed that the MPs elected in uncontested seats in the January 5 elections were nonetheless constitutionally elected, and that there is thus no legal barrier to the legitimacy of the 10th parliament.
It has always been this newspaper’s position that, despite their shortcomings, the national polls were legal and constitutional, and to have this confirmed by the court was a salutary step.
Although the provision allowing for such a large number of uncontested seats in the elections may or may not be a wise or desirable one, it is still the law as it stands. Revisiting the provision to make adjustments for future polls is an option, but the MPs elected thus far are not only entitled to, but legally obligated to, partake in deliberation and passage of laws.
The opposition is perfectly within its rights to call for fresh elections and to argue that the current government lacks moral legitimacy. Indeed, we too have expressed our qualms about the non-representative nature of the government and also urged fresh elections within a reasonable period of time.
However, the current government is a legitimate one as far as the law of our land is concerned, and political arguments as to its illegitimacy or illegality are potentially destabilising and dangerous.
Let the legality of the parliament including the members elected unopposed not be called into further question. Let us accept the legality of the current government as a premise for the political dialogue and even agitation to come.