Tuesday, 23 July 2013 01:15
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The writing is on the wall. The world is depending on the Government to ensure that the upcoming polls in the north are conducted in a free and fair manner. Last week, both Japan and the European Union (EU) made it clear that they viewed the elections as a cornerstone to greater reconciliation and full implementation of the 13th Amendment, putting Colombo on standby to claim responsibility if goes awry.
Japan, being a strong ally of the Rajapaksa- regime, donated a Rs. 11.4 million grant to People for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) to educate northern people of the democratic process and urge them to use their vote to elect leaders they really want. In a statement, the embassy made it crystal clear that they want a clean fight come September and that they view the elections as the fulfilment of a promise made by Rajapaksa during his visit to Japan earlier this year.
Readers will remember that the visit garnered much discussion not only because of the US$ 500 million loan it generated but also because it took place in the backdrop of the Government battling a second US backed resolution in Geneva before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Diplomatic channels suggested that Japan, upon receiving Rajapaksa’s assurances on the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), which includes the promise of northern elections, returned the quid-pro-quo by supporting Sri Lanka at the UNHRC. Be that as it may, it is clear that Japan will be following developments closely.
An EU delegation that wrapped up its weeklong visit to Sri Lanka also emphasised that much depended on the northern elections. Delegation Head Jean Lambert noted that no EU monitors would be present at the election but insisted this did not detract one iota of importance away from the polls and greater concerns pertaining to the LLRC and 13th Amendment.
The EU official also called for greater separation between military and civilian life and economy in the north and expressed hope that the Northern Provincial Council poll will bring a breakthrough in the political progress required in the post-war phase. She said that concerns had been raised about the continuing role of the military in many aspects of civilian life in the north. Investigations into disappearances were also highlighted as essential by her for real reconciliation.
This call for the separation of military from the election process was first voiced by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and also made a futile appeal to the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya.
India’s deep stake in the northern elections is self-evident and a plethora of countries led by the US and EU are waiting on the Sri Lankan Government to do the right thing.
From a slightly different perspective, the Government is also under pressure to clean up its candidates. Transparency International in a statement called for people charged with bribery, corruption, child abuse, rape and other abuses not to be chosen for the upcoming provincial council elections in the Northern, North Western and Central Provinces.
The media have also highlighted these discrepancies, especially regarding a politician that made a teacher kneel being allowed to present his application for re-election, mirroring public pressure for viable candidates. With so many eyes on it, will the Government finally fulfil its duties?
