Thursday, 9 April 2015 00:00
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We learn with utter dismay that the forthcoming election is to be held with the Preferential Voting (PV) system still in place. This is absolutely shocking given the ‘100 day program’ of the Goverment including the much-publicised amendments to the electoral system.
Abolish PV system
The clamour to abolish the PV system has prolonged for the past several years coupled with the outcry for reducing presidential powers. The entire country without exception is longing for this much awaited change. It is a simple amendment which confers the following lavish benefits to the people and the country as a whole:
1) It allows decent, genuine individuals who have not much means, but have country at heart to enter the political arena.
2) It cuts off the huge, unwarranted wastage of money, time and effort spent on personal propaganda.
3) It prevents dubious persons with ill-gotten money from entering politics.
4) It saves the environment from littering roads with polythene and sticking posters at all nooks and corners. It adds insult to injury when the tax payer has to pay to clear the mess.
5) It prevents inter and intra- party rivalry among politicians and their supporters with some even resorting to thuggery and intimidation leading to loss of limb and life.
6) It prevents sound pollution created by incremental meetings by rivals.
7) It assists the Police in maintaining law and order during pre-election period leading to a peaceful atmosphere for the people.
8) It prevents post-election violence.
9) It helps the Elections Dept. immensely in the vote counting process as the counting of preference votes does not arise.
10) It allows the election results to be announced much earlier than it is now.
11) It saves much cost, time and effort for Elections Dept. as the entire process is simplified.
12) It relieves the voter from marking a preference on the ballot paper for unfamiliar persons.
Given the aforesaid multiple benefits and advantages, we are at a loss to understand why the implementation of such an extremely beneficial decision is delayed. Besides, the effect of this change primarily doesn’t go beyond relisting, the usual nomination list of contesting parties in merit order. The JVP doesn’t go even to that extent.
We all know that the PV system even at present is optional and technically if the electorate decides not to mark the preference vote what can the authorities do? Thus, anyone can realise that removing this option is not going to change the big picture as far as the voter is concerned. In fact, it would make things appear more rational as the onus will rest solely on the political parties to nominate the best team who in their view can implement the party manifesto which incidentally must be made a legally enforceable document.
We are confident that the outcome would be a Parliament dominated by professionals consisting of lawyers, accountants and economists. We need not have qualms about decisions taken in such an assembly.
Seal all ‘cross-overs’
Secondly, we as sovereign voters do not wish to witness any further ‘cross-overs’ taking place after the forthcoming elections, as it has already made a mockery of the election process which has since become meaningless.
Now the time is ripe and critical for the authorities and the politicians to restore the dignity of the election process and the sovereign voter. A suitable clause must be entrenched in to the Constitution to seal all types off ‘cross-overs’ in the Parliament. It should be applied to the provincial councils and local govt. bodies too, through necessary amendments to the relevant Acts.
A People’s Govt. through Cabinet representation
Thirdly, suitable amendments should be made to form a ‘People’s Govt.’, through the formation of a Cabinet limited to a specified number with all contesting parties being proportionately represented. The methodology was detailed in a previous article of mine to the press.
Pass 19th Amendment
It is assumed that appropriate decisions will be taken to limit presidential powers and introduce independent commissions through the proposed 19th Amendment. We are of the view that although the aforesaid electoral reforms may not be concurrent with the passing of the 19th Amendment, they should certainly be passed before holding the next election. It surely is not a tall order as exceeding the ‘100 days’ by a couple of weeks is not a mortal sin.
We appeal to all public-spirited citizens, politicians and civil society loyalists to join this outcry to bring about these much-needed changes to our constitution to finally usher in an era of ‘consensual politics’ instead of ‘confrontational politics’!
