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by Prof. Herbert A. Aponso, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics

Proposals sent to Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms Chairman Dinesh Gunawardena MP

The pros and cons, or the advantages and disadvantages, of the First-Past-the-Post (FPP) and the Proportional Representation (PR) systems have been discussed at length for several years. Without entering into any further debate or discussions on their merits and demerits, this set of proposals (in a summary form), is based on a combination of the advantageous features of the two systems, together with some other suggestions, which would hopefully enhance the stability of governance.

Objectives

a) Have an equal number of MPs on the FPP and PR systems. Most persons tend to agree that election of MPs only on FPP is not adequately representative of the people or of a political party. They, therefore, would consider it prudent that Parliamentary representation should include the collective "voice" of the people, in proportion to their expressed preferences - the objective of the PR system.

b) Prevent the inevitable struggle for preferential votes among candidates of the same party, in the present PR system.

c) Make provision for the appointment of eminently suitable persons, who, though willing to serve the country, do not wish to go through the travails of an election campaign.

d) Promote stability of governance, and diminish the chances of an unstable ('hung') Parliament.

e) Maintain the present numerical strength of Parliament, and thereby prevent an increased expenditure.

The Proposals

Parliament shall consist of the present number of MPs, constituted (in Lists 1,2 and 3 below), as follows:

List 1-100 MPs on the FPP system.

For this purpose it would become necessary to appoint a Commission to determine the 100 seats. A simpler alternative would be to combine two of the present electorates, as far as possible (eg. Mahanuwara and Senkadagala, or Moratuwa and Kesbewa)

List 2-100 MPs on the PR system (in a fair and just manner) as indicated below:

a) As the election of MPs is to the National Parliament, it is proposed that the proportional allocation of seats should be on a national (country-wide), and not on a district basis. Therefore, the total number of votes cast for a party in all electorates of the country should be taken into consideration in determining the number of seats on the PR system. It may perhaps be argued that minority interests would not be adequately represented if the district basis of PR were to be abolished. On the contrary, it is argued that minorities are distributed, though in small numbers, in many parts of the country, and that, when all parties field candidates in all the electorates, country-wide, there would be a true representation of the national 'voice' rather than a district 'voice'.

b) All candidates who fail to get elected on the FPP system shall be given an "acceptability score", which would be calculated on the percentage of votes that they have obtained from the total number of valid votes that have been cast in their particular electorate. This score is an index of the degree of their personal and party acceptability.

c) 50 MPs (increased up to 75 if deemed necessary) shall be appointed on the basis of the above-mentioned country-wide votes for a particular party, and in accordance with the "acceptability score" of candidates. This proposal would obviate preferential votes.

d) The balance number of MPs (on PR), which would amount to 50 (or 25 if 75 are appointed from List 2 c) shall also be appointed on the basis of the country-wide proportion of valid votes cast for a party. These MPs would be chosen by the leader of the relevant party, from a national list submitted at the time of nomination of candidates. It is recommended that this list should include the persons referred to under objective c), i.e. eminently suitable persons.

List 3 - Appointment of 25 more MPs by the leader of the party that has the highest number of MPs from Lists 1 and 2, (It is implied thus this leader would be called upon to form the government). The purpose of this suggestion is to promote a strong and stable governance. This suggestion would also diminish the chances of parties or individuals taking over the role of "king makers". This category of MPs (appointed members) shall cease to be MPs if for any reason the party in power (the government), that has appointed them, changes.

Independent MPs

While the election of Independent candidates on the FFP system is quite clear, their appointment on the PR system should pose no problems, as it would follow the same system outlined above - i.e. the number of seats form List 2. The "acceptability score" would be in proportion to the total number of valid votes cast for all Independent candidates from all Groups of Independent candidates, in all parts of the country, and not on a district basis. In the unlikely eventuality of Independent candidates securing the highest number of seats, they should elect a leader amongst themselves to form the government. They would then be entitled to the 25 extra seats, mentioned in List 3.

Cross Overs/National Government

Independent MPs, shall have the right to join any party or to change party affiliations from time to time. However, MPs who enter Parliament through a political party shall not have the right to cross- over to another party; but they would be permitted to join the group of Independent members, without the right of joining any party subsequently. Similarly, Appointed Members (from List 3) shall not have the right to join a party other than the one that has appointed them.

However, they would not be denied the right to join the group of Independent members and remain as independent members, without the right of joining any party subsequently. It would be reasonable to assume that an increasing number of Independent MPs is an indication of a lack of confidence in the present political party system. Such a situation would perhaps be a forerunner to the formation of a National Government. In such as eventuality, the Executive Committee system of Government, which existed prior to the political party system, would be an appropriate one.

Categories of MPs

There would, thus, be three categories of MPs:

1. MPs who represent an electorate - Elected MPs

2. MPs elected on the basis of Proportional Representation - PR MPs

3. Appointed MPs

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