THE Constitution Commission has been asked to find or develop a system in which the role of political parties is made redundant or minimised.
In his written constitution submission to the commission, former cabinet minister Krishna Datt said the recommendation was intended to impress on the commission the seriousness of the frustration that people had faced with political parties.
"Alternatively, the commission is invited to recommend some far reaching reforms to make political parties much more accountable," he said in the submission.
Mr Datt said fundamental to political party reform was the question of leadership.
He said the major reason for people's disenchantment with political parties stemmed largely from the nature and calibre of political leadership.
"The scheming, manipulistic, self-centred leadership of the past has been the major cause of disenchantment.
"Any system of government will continue to depend on individuals to come forth and take the cudgel of leadership," Mr Datt said.
"What we need is for the constitution to provide for a strict criteria for people offering themselves for national leadership."
The former parliamentarian recommended that the commission lay down specific skills and personal qualities required for national leadership.