The 1991 Harare Declaration, recognises “the individual's inalienable right to participate by means of free and democratic political processes in framing the society in which he or she lives.” While all members of the Commonwealth have made that commitment to democracy, in many countries the democratic principles of good governance, transparency and accountability are largely absent.
The fact is that periodic elections and a functioning bureaucracy do not in themselves ensure that governments are responsive and inclusive. Something more is needed. Access to information is the key for moving from formal to consultative and responsive democracy. In 2002, the Commonwealth Law Ministers specifically recognised that “the right to access information was an important aspect of democratic accountability and promoted transparency and encouraged full participation of citizens in the democratic process” .
Information is often withheld even when people are engaged in exercising that most basic of democratic rights, the vote. In the absence of a continuous flow of information that accurately reveals how ministries are functioning, how politicians have performed or the experience and qualifications of new candidates, elections may end up promoting only narrow interests as voters fall back on tribal, clan, religious or class affiliations as the basis for their choice.
Likewise, in the absence of a right to scrutinise the financial details of political party funding – some of it no more than bribes – citizens are unable to ensure that special interest groups, including criminal elements, do not co-opt their representatives for private gain. Better-informed voters mean better-informed choices, more responsive legislators and better governance.
Democracy and national stability are enhanced by policies of openness which engender greater public trust in their representatives. This is a crucial aspect of effective governance – without the support and trust of the people, governments will be more likely to face resistance to their policies and programs and implementation will be more difficult.
“Citizens are suspicious of the motives and intentions of their governments. They feel ignored or even betrayed by their elected representatives. Indeed, they feel suspicious of the very programmes and agencies created to meet the needs they have. They feel neglected, ignored and uncared for.” The integrity of governments needs to improve – and be seen to improve. Open government and access to information provide a means of achieving both these ends.