{"id":110088,"date":"2023-03-09T09:48:48","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T09:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=110088"},"modified":"2023-03-09T09:49:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T09:49:24","slug":"can-we-hold-free-and-fair-elections-without-system-changes-by-bernard-fernando","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/can-we-hold-free-and-fair-elections-without-system-changes-by-bernard-fernando\/","title":{"rendered":"Can we hold \u2018Free and Fair Elections\u2019 without \u2018System Changes\u2019? – By Bernard Fernando,"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can we hold \u2018Free and Fair Elections\u2019 without \u2018System Changes\u2019? – By Bernard Fernando<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Elections\"<\/p>\n

Recently, one of the rare \u2018Country \u2013first\u2019 Political Professionals in the current Parliament had suggested to hold both Parliamentary and LG Elections on the same day. May be as an economist he wanted to make the budgetary provision of Rs.10 Bln. more meaningful, productive and cost-effective in the face of the dire human and Financial\/economic catastrophe that the country is facing as a \u2018Bankrupt Nation\u2019. Further, it may to some extent, justify the estimated Rs.72Bln. earmarked to be spent by contesting political parties for Election campaigning\u00a0 and also save millions of man hours when conducting a laborious country \u2013wide, complex and unrefined Election process that we are saddled with, for the last several decades.\u00a0 However, we<\/strong> as Sovereign voters <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>facing a dire human, financial and economic crisis <\/strong>exhort that it is more fundamental to make critical system changes and revamp our defective Electoral system, as repeatedly holding elections using failed electoral systems under the pretext of so called \u2018Free and Fair\u2019 Elections to protect a basic human right is tantamount to sheer hypocrisy and deception, particularly when it is marketed hot on the heels of the recent ‘Aragalaya’ which targeted a regime change coupled with robust \u2018system changes\u2019 in our Electoral System. Unfortunately, they too seem to have jumped in to the rickety old Election \u2018Band wagon\u2019 without insisting on \u2018System changes\u2019 towards \u2018Free and Fair Elections\u2019\u2026Behold! This is Sri Lanka! <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Whither long overdue \u2018System changes\u2019?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0More than a decade ago, when our economy was not in the doldrums as now, the writer and several other sovereign voters with \u2018Country at heart\u2019 suggested to the authorities to hold more compatible Parliamentary and Provincial Council (PC) Elections on a single day for the aforesaid reasons. Moreover, to make our corrupt and unproductive 04 tiered Political administration structure consisting of Exec.Presidency, Parliament, Provincial Councils(PCs)and Local Govt.bodies (LGBs), more objective and productive, the writer has been continuously knocking at the door since 1997 to depoliticise\u00a0 the bottom level LG tier and allow the citizens to take it over, in line with \u2018Grama Raajya\u2019 concept. As a result of the proposal falling on deaf ears, the rate paying citizens are now fed up with the present Local Govt.Administration where political bias, corruption, arrogance and self-aggrandizement are the hall marks. Thus, they desperately look forward for a \u2018System change\u2019 in alignment of which, the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has developed a very appropriate model with independent \u2018Jana-Sabhas\u2019(JS) at Grama Niladhari Division(GND)level. The writer was made to understand that the process to give JS legal recognition is nearing completion. The writer\u2019s supportive proposal in the press giving a simple methodology to elect JS representatives at GND level to replace Political Party candidates \u00a0too has fallen on deaf ears.<\/span><\/p>\n

The continued failure of the successive Govts. to abolish \u00a0Executive Presidency which all parties prioritised in their manifestos with much hype since 1994, shows the depth to which our political culture has got degenerated. The writer\u2019s proposal to at least depoliticize the Executive Presidency to strengthen the checks and balances under the 3 Pillars too was ignored.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aren\u2019t sovereign voters entitled to propose system changes?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As regards, \u2018System change\u2019s to the General\u00a0 and PC Election process, the writer\u2019s package of proposals as a sovereign voter were submitted \u00a0to the Cabinet appointed eminent lawyers\u2019 Committee(2020), Parliament appointed Select Committee on Election Reforms (2021), Election Commission and Voter dedicated Civil Organisations (2021) all of which merely acknowledged receipt without any further ado.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sad irony today is, when the \u2018Sovereign voters’ ask for a \u2018system change\u2019 or rationalization of the existing Political machinery to cut down corruption, wastage, costs and improve productivity and accountability, the traditional Parliamentarians who \u2018piggy back\u2019 the sovereign voters, simply ignore their voice without giving a tuppence worth for \u2018System changes\u2019 upstaged by our intelligent youth through the recent peaceful \u2018Aragalaya\u2019. Instead, they have chosen to expand\u00a0 their corrupt political Industry by splitting like hydras, aided and abetted especially by the powerful Electronic media lending undue prime time news coverage to the power hungry \u2018225\u2019!\u00a0 Their dubious promises and fallacies on the TV tempered with a haughty and aggressive tone clearly indicate that they are determined to grab power by hook or by crook and continue their confrontational culture inside and outside the Parliament as usual. Naturally, the current set of politicians\u00a0 are allergic to Electoral \u2018System changes\u2019 for fear of losing their status \u2013quo, while many are waiting in the wings to qualify for Duty- free luxury Vehicles, Pension, personal staff and numerous other perks and allowances at the expense of the Tax-Payer! On the other hand some political parties may be wishfully thinking to come to power and effect some \u2018System changes\u2019 so that they too can qualify to announce \u00a0\u201cApi thamai hondatama kaley\u201d ! (It was we who did the best!) As a result of such manoeuvres and tantrums, the slogan \u2018Ditch the 225\u2019 will re-emerge and the country will submerge!<\/span><\/p>\n

The next sad irony is, some Civil and voter dedicated organizations and political pundits have chosen to ignore fundamental \u2018System changes\u2019 to the existing complex, defective, unproductive and high-cost Electoral process under the pretext of a bogus \u2018Free and Fair \u2018Elections<\/strong>\u00a0 to safeguard so called democratic rights of the voters. Thereby, they have allowed the said coterie of shrewd and selfish politicians to place the \u2018Cart before the Horse\u2019 and test their strength through a futile LG Election at a cost of Rs.10, 000 Mln. and force a General Election also under the existing hackneyed and defective system (Another Rs. 10,000 Mln.!) so that they can be back to business under the same old, debased political culture by postponing the \u2018System changes\u2019 for another 05 years!<\/span><\/p>\n

Can a Bankrupt Nation allow old and unproductive systems to perpetuate?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2018Country first\u2019 political professionals will surely realise that this is not the time to catch \u2018Election fever\u2019 and push the burning problems of the people who have already taken to streets against sweeping increases in Taxes and Electricity, to the back burner. The country is reeling, unable to even think of the colossal debt burden both local and foreign that is building up on a daily basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, desperate tax-payers\/Sovereign voters genuinely interested in the development of the Country, firstly demand an uncorrupt and wise Political Administration system\u00a0 produced by a really \u2018Free and Fair Elections \u00a0(recently echoed by the US Senate too)\u00a0 through crucial and cost-effective \u2018system changes\u2019 as recommended below.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. i) Contestants from independent \u2018Jana sabhas\u2019 to replace Political Party candidates at grass root level LG elections thereby converting LG bodies to nurseries moulding future \u2018Political Professionals\u2019 instead of becoming breeding -grounds for \u2018Corrupt politicians\u2019.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. ii) Abolish \u2018Mixed Member Voting\u2019 (MMV), \u2018Preference voting\u2019 and \u2018Cross over\u2019 mechanisms to pave the way for election of wise and genuine \u2018Country first- Political Professionals\u2019 from \u2018District wise Merit lists\u2019 of Parties selected through a robust, standardised procedure subject to minimum eligibility criteria and a structured interview system laid down by the National Election Commission. (Writer has already spelt out a methodology through the Press) This is a major system change sought by the peaceful youth \u2018Aragalaya\u2019too.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    iii) Members\u00a0 to Provincial Councils (PCs) and National Parliament to be elected purely on District and country-wide \u2018% Representation\u2019 basis respectively, enabling all voters in North, South,\u00a0 East and West to vote for only the party of their choice as \u2018True Sri Lankans\u2019 carrying\u00a0 a ballot paper of \u2018equal value \u2018untainted by Race, Caste or Religion as propounded \u00a0by UN convention-1948. This is an important prerequisite for National Reconciliation exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. iv) Secure Women and Youth representation (20% each) by mandating inclusion of at least 01 woman and 01 Youth ( Below 35 years) among every 05 persons in all District\/ Electorate nominee lists in merit order.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. v) A \u2018Sustainable \u2018Sri Lankan\u2019 Cabinet\u2019 to be formed based on National vote %, so that smaller parties too could join the Cabinet. This step will resolve our National Question paving the way for our country to become a model \u2018Five-Star\u2019 democracy with \u2018Sri Lankans\u2019 as its citizens.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. vi) Brand the 5 year Election manifesto as a regulated, prosecutable document that primarily determines voter decision.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      vii) Objectively strengthen PCs and rationalize the role and fringe benefits of MPs.<\/span><\/p>\n

      viii) Take cost -effective steps to ensure maximum productivity of the Electoral system. E.g. Hold General and PC Elections and if possible, the relevant Referenda too on the same day after introducing Electronic voting system<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. ix) Executive Presidency to be abolished with effect from a specified date, through a referendum, (if possible on the same day of the General and PC Elections) and replaced with a Parliament and PC member appointed Governor General as the usual Commander- in -chief with ceremonial powers plus limited powers to execute Parliament approved Laws, Programmes, and National and decentralized budgets through Provincial Governors appointed by him\/her. The Constitutional Council shall nominate 03 Candidates for the post of Governor General who will report to the Supreme Parliament.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        Due to corrupt, unprofessional, parochial and confrontational \u00a0Party politics, the country has missed several golden opportunities to put it \u00a0back on track after overcoming uprisings\/disasters such as 1971Insurrection,1989\/90Insurrection, 2004Tsunami, \u00a030 year War, Covid-19, 2019 Easter Carnage and \u00a0the recent \u20182022-Aragalaya\u2019. Therefore, we as citizens with country at heart, re-appeal to the Hon. President, Prime Minister and the entire Parliament to place the Country first<\/strong> and exercise their political will in unison, irrespective of narrow Party politics, Colour, Creed and Caste, to speedily legalise the above objective \u2018System changes\u2019 leading to real \u2018Free and Fair \u00a0Elections\u2019<\/strong> and Referenda as suggested above and replace this failed and rotten system of \u2018Corrupt and Confrontational\u2019 politics with a \u2018Clean and Consensual political culture\u2019. Only such a paradigm shift tagged with corresponding changes in our Media and Peoples\u2019 culture can convince the new generation and the sovereign voters to halt the brain drain of Professionals thereby preventing our bankrupt Nation being thrown to the dust bin of History.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Therefore, let us all unite and make this \u2018Cultural Revolution\u2019 etched in golden letters in our History books so that the world at large will not only hasten to pay a glorious tribute to Sri Lanka but also provide us the much needed economic assistance to redeem our country from its present plight !<\/span><\/p>\n

        \u201cIf there is a will there is a way !\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        Bernard Fernando,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

        Moratuwa.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

        Email: jbvfernando@yahoo.com<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Can we hold \u2018Free and Fair Elections\u2019 without \u2018System Changes\u2019? – By Bernard Fernando Recently, one of the rare \u2018Country \u2013first\u2019 Political Professionals in the current Parliament had suggested to hold both Parliamentary and LG Elections on the same day. May be as an economist he wanted to make the budgetary provision of Rs.10 Bln. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":110089,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[43435,51119,37013,1109,51649],"class_list":{"0":"post-110088","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"tag-aragalaya","9":"tag-financial","10":"tag-parliament","11":"tag-politics","12":"tag-system-changes","13":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"\nCan we hold \u2018Free and Fair Elections\u2019 without \u2018System Changes\u2019? - By Bernard Fernando, - eLanka<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Recently, one of the rare \u2018Country \u2013first\u2019 Political Professionals in the current Parliament had suggested to hold both Parliamentary and LG\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can we hold \u2018Free and Fair Elections\u2019 without \u2018System Changes\u2019? 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