Antidefection

Antidefection refers to a set of laws and rules designed to prevent elected officials from switching their political party affiliation after winning an election. These laws are commonly found in parliamentary systems and are intended to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and the will of the voters. The core principle behind antidefection measures is that voters elect a representative based on their party's platform and ideology. A change in party affiliation by the elected official is seen as a betrayal of that mandate.

The most common form of antidefection legislation is the "whip system," where political parties issue directives to their elected members on how to vote on specific issues. Failure to comply with the whip can result in disciplinary action, including expulsion from the party. In some jurisdictions, this expulsion can trigger a by-election, forcing the official to seek a fresh mandate from their constituents. Another approach involves disqualifying a member from holding office if they voluntarily resign from their party or vote against the party's line on a key issue.

The rationale for antidefection laws includes promoting party discipline, ensuring stable government by reducing opportunistic shifting of allegiances, and maintaining a clear ideological divide between political parties. Critics, however, argue that these laws can stifle dissent within parties, limit the freedom of elected representatives to act according to their conscience, and potentially lead to a less responsive political system if officials are afraid to deviate from party dictates. The effectiveness and implementation of antidefection measures vary significantly across different countries and political systems.