By: Ahmad Ayaz
In a democratic society, the legitimacy of governance rests upon two vital principles: transparency and accountability. These values not only ensure efficient administration but also safeguard the rights and interests of the citizens. In an era where people are more informed, connected, and vocal than ever, these values are no longer optional—they are indispensable. Transparency and accountability form the backbone of good governance and the very essence of public service.
Yet, despite advancements in technology and greater public awareness, a wide gap remains between theory and practice. Public office—whether occupied by elected politicians or salaried bureaucrats—is too often treated as a seat of privilege rather than a responsibility. This disconnection frustrates the public and weakens democratic institutions.
PUBLIC OFFICE: A RESPONSIBILITY, NOT A PRIVILEGE
At the heart of democracy lies a fundamental principle: public office is a public trust. Those occupying such offices are not rulers but servants of the people. The authority they wield is institutional, not personal—granted by the Constitution and funded by taxpayers.
Perks and privileges that accompany public service roles are not rewards; they are enablers to serve better. When public servants begin to see these perks as entitlements, the system of accountability begins to erode.
Politicians are elected to represent their constituents, uphold the law, and work for the public good. Bureaucrats are expected to implement policies fairly and without bias. When this sacred mandate is compromised for personal or political gain, democracy begins to falter.
TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNANCE: MORE THAN JUST DATA
Transparency is often misunderstood as the mere availability of data. But true transparency means:
Timely dissemination of relevant and comprehensible information.
Openness in decision-making processes.
Responsiveness to public doubts, grievances, and scrutiny.
In the smartphone and social media age, citizens no longer accept vague assurances. They seek performance, clarity, and engagement. Unfortunately, many government portals and dashboards are outdated, non-intuitive, or filled with jargon. When transparency is inaccessible to the common citizen, it becomes indistinguishable from secrecy.
ACCOUNTABILITY: THE MISSING LINK IN GOVERNANCE
If transparency reveals the “what” and “how,” then accountability ensures the “who” and “why.” It enforces consequences and reinforces the principle that no one is above the law.
Yet in practice, accountability is frequently absent. When a road collapses, when a healthcare scheme fails, or when corruption is exposed—how often are real consequences seen?
Instead of corrective action, we often witness blame games: politicians blame bureaucrats, bureaucrats blame contractors, and the contractors disappear. The result? No one is held accountable, and citizens continue to suffer.
GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL: A SYSTEM BROKEN IN PRACTICE
One of the clearest reflections of weak accountability is the poor state of grievance redressal:
Complaints are ignored or closed without resolution.
Departments shuffle responsibility between officers.
There’s no escalation system for unresolved issues.
In contrast, private companies resolve customer issues within hours using real-time tracking systems. Meanwhile, public institutions still operate with outdated and indifferent mechanisms. The result is citizen alienation and loss of faith in institutions.
THE MYTH OF PARTICIPATION IN POLICYMAKING
Democracy is not just about voting every five years—it’s about continuous civic engagement. But in practice, how often are people genuinely consulted before major decisions?
Whether it’s taxation, land acquisition, or infrastructure projects, public input is rarely sought. Drafts aren’t opened for debate. Town hall meetings have vanished. Exclusion fuels resistance—not against development itself, but against the imposition of decisions without consultation.
MEDIA, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND THE SHRINKING SPACE FOR SCRUTINY
A robust democracy depends on independent scrutiny. The media, civil society organizations, and watchdog institutions play this vital role.
Sadly, these institutions are under pressure:
Journalists probing corruption face harassment.
RTI activists and whistleblowers face threats.
NGOs working on transparency are often vilified.
Suppressing scrutiny weakens democracy. Without these voices, injustice festers. A democracy that silences dissent becomes a democracy only in name.
TECHNOLOGY: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
Technology has modernized governance. It offers tools for transparency and accountability:
Access to services and data.
Real-time complaint tracking.
Streamlined service delivery.
But technology must not be a smokescreen. Shiny apps that don’t respond to issues only worsen the gap between the state and the citizen. Moreover, not everyone is digitally equipped. Rural and disadvantaged populations need equally robust offline options.
INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS: STRENGTHENING THE DEMOCRATIC BACKBONE
To make transparency and accountability real, institutional changes are crucial:
- Empower Independent Bodies: Ensure autonomy for CAG, Lokayuktas, and Information Commissions.
- Strengthen RTI Implementation: Enforce timelines, protect activists, and penalize non-compliance.
- Public Feedback Systems: Departments should be rated by citizens for transparency and performance.
- Mandatory Disclosures: Expenditure, meeting minutes, and progress reports must be published in plain language.
- Grievance System Audits: Conduct third-party audits of complaint redressal mechanisms.
ETHICS AND TRAINING: CULTIVATING A SERVICE MINDSET
Reforms alone aren’t enough. The ethos of public service must change:
Include ethics training in bureaucratic and political education.
Train officials in empathy, clarity, and responsiveness.
Encourage public interaction by elected representatives.
Public service must not be seen as a stepping stone to privilege but as a platform for transformation.
THE ROLE OF CITIZENS: PARTICIPATION IS POWER
Governance is a shared responsibility. Citizens must stay engaged:
Use RTI and public grievance mechanisms.
Attend public consultations and hold leaders accountable.
Support free press and civil society.
Vote based on performance, not promises.
An aware and active citizenry is the strongest check against abuse of power.
CONCLUSION: THE FUTURE DEMANDS A TRANSPARENT STATE
Transparency and accountability are not administrative luxuries—they are democratic imperatives. Governance without public trust is hollow, and trust is built through consistent openness and integrity.
Politicians must view power as service, not entitlement. Bureaucrats must break free from colonial legacies and embrace public-first approaches. Institutions must act freely. Citizens must stay vigilant and vocal.
Only then can we create a democracy that is truly by the people, for the people, and answerable to the people. With accountability, even flawed policies can be corrected. Without it, even good intentions can collapse.
Democracy demands accountability. With it, we build a just, inclusive, and responsive state. Without it, we merely pretend.
The author is a freelancer, national TV debater, and columnist. Views are personal. He can be reached at ahmadayaz08@gmail.com
