Educating simple Voters to demand a genuine and simple Electoral system with ‘equal vote’ before any Election.- Part 02 – By Bernard Fernando
PART 2
In order, empower our simple voters with a genuine, simple, rational and a cost effective Electoral system, forging National unity ( Sri Lankan ness), Transparency and Meritocracy championing a Sri Lankan Democratic model, the writer submitted a package of ‘System Changes’ in 2016 to the authorities and voter dedicated civil organizations to of no avail to date.
An updated summary of those ‘System Changes’ that are critical in today’s context is given below for response by our Country loving sovereign voters and others.
A summary of Critical ‘System changes’ to be legalised before any Election
- Ensure ‘Universal and equal suffrage ‘of Vote as per UN Human Rights Declaration- 1948 and forge ‘Sri Lankan-ness’ by genuinely allocating seats to Parties simply based on their National/District vote %.
2.Guarantee nomination of public cleared, genuine ‘Country-first -Political Professionals’, in merit order by mandating minimum eligibility criteria and a standardized structured, common Interview marking system for all contesting Parties/Groups.
3.Secure Women and Youth representation (20% each) in Parliament/PCs, by mandating at least 01woman and 01 youth below the age of 35 among every 5 persons in all District/Electorate nominee lists in merit order. Special interview marks to be allocated for this purpose.
- Stipulate objective oriented transparent mandatory criteria for nomination of 29 National List MPs.
- Abolish existing Preference Voting(‘Manape’) and Mixed Member Voting (MMV) systems and if necessary, allow all parties to enter their nominees in merit order using any one of 03 District/Electorate lists captioned PR, FPP and Central-Pool as stipulated by NEC.
- Brand the ‘5 year Party Election Manifesto’ as a prosecutable document subject to a monitoring mechanism and convince the voter to accept it as the crucial determinant for a wise voting decision.
- Fix a ‘Common Expenditure measurement standard’ for all ‘Party Election campaigns’ to ensure a ‘Level playing field’ and also to create an opportunity to more deserving eligible applicants lacking financial strength. (This item has since been legalized and merits discussion)
- Install a ‘Sustainable National Cabinet’ system to foster ‘Sri Lankan ness’ by allocating Cabinet seats to seat- wining parties based on their National Vote % at a General Election. A similar method to be adopted for allocation of Provincial Ministry portfolios.
- Ban deplorable ‘Cross overs’ to ensure an ethical & a consensual political culture sans ‘corrupt deals’.
- Objectively strengthen Provincial Councils and rationalise the role and benefits of National Parliamentarians.
11.Depoliticise Local Govt. Elections to ensure fair and uncorrupt service to people through election of respectable, acceptable and sociable ‘Independent’ candidates in the locality as per ‘Grama Rajya’ concept. With the establishment of ‘Jana Sabhas’(JS) at ‘Grama Niladhari Division (GND) level, as proposed by National Movement for Social Justice(NMSJ), JS nominees would be ideal to represent local people and Elections can be conducted by Divisional Secretaries.
12.Take simple and cost-effective steps to ensure maximum productivity of the Electoral and Political systems. E.g. Hold General and PC Elections and if possible, the relevant Referendum too on the same day. It is noteworthy, that if the voting pattern for General and PC Elections are the same, the District results will be the same for both Elections. But for the sake of good order 2 separate Ballot papers should be given. Electronic voting system would greatly assist. Also, items 11 and 13 will surely make the Political Admin. Systems productive and save massive costs now being incurred for those 02 Elections.
- Abolish Executive Presidency from a specified date through the said Referendum and elect a ‘Hybrid Governor General’ from 3 candidates proposed by the Constitutional Council, with the vote of MPs and PC members. He/She will have additional powers to appoint Provincial Governors and through them ensure timely execution of Parliament approved Acts, Laws, Budgets and Programmes without red tape.
- Urgently approve the said simple but critical ‘system changes’ to be effective for any future Election.
Note: Writer’s detailed methodology for above ‘System changes’ have been published in National Newspapers inviting voter dedicated Civil organisations and Collectives in order for them to educate the simple voters on this critical need for ‘system changes’ in our failed Electoral System responsible for our present plight.
Conclusion
The present day sovereign voters and the new generation clamour for a new ‘Geuine and a Stable democracy’ where the MPs as ‘Country First-political professionals’ shall genuinely, decently and constructively debate the pros and cons of given draft Bills/laws/Programmes/ Projects/Issues etc. and consensually agree on what is best for the Country without Party affiliations and corrupt deals.
As a geographically and demographically small country, with sensitive and unique ethnic issues, we should have our own model that will fully comply with ‘Equality of Vote’ as per our Constitution and global UN Declaration of Human rights -1948, without implanting foreign Models according to whims and fancies of politicians. “Be Global, act Local!”
As a ‘Bankrupt Country’ we have no time to lose!
Bernard Fernando- AIB(London), Exec.Dip.in Business Admin.-University of Colombo. Former Deputy General Manager- BOC
Email: jbvfernando@yahoo.com
T’Phone -0718118443-
Date:23- 06-2023
