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| Sunday, 15 February 2004 |
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Politics |  |
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What the political parties have to say.... by P. Krishnaswamy Criminalisation of politics and election-related violence have kept a considerable percentage of voters out of the polling booths in past elections. Such incidents of violence are seen to be on the increase, alarming both voters and other concerned civil society organisations. With nominations scheduled for this week, the Sunday Observer asked political parties what steps they were taking to prevent election-related violence. Excerpts of their responses: UNP stalwart and Minister of Lands, Rajitha Senaratne: "We have to go by a policy on this matter. We are ready to extend our fullest support and co-operation towards preventing election-related violence. As far as the UNP is concerned, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has strictly and clearly informed party supporters and members that the party is totally against violence as a means of winning elections and that anyone involved in such unlawful activities will have to face the consequences. There has been no incidents of violence in my electorate and I have told party supporters that those resorting to violence should not come to me. I have ensured that no one is subjected to political victimisation at my Ministry. We have seen enough bloodshed in the country; we must put a stop to it." PA spokesman and former MP Dr. Sarath Amunugama: "We have consistently been against the use of violence in elections. Unfortunately, some of our members had also resorted to election violence, but they are now in the UNP. For decades, starting from the time of J. R. Jayewardene, the UNP had resorted to violence to win elections. This time they will not be able to do it because President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has the Police, the Army and the media under her control. The JVP is also with us. If the UNP resorts to violence this time, they will learn their lesson". JVP Parliamentarian and member of party Central Committee, Sunil Handunnetti: "We have faced about nine elections since 1994 and we do not think there is even a single recorded incident of JVP-organised violence. We were always at the receiving end; one of our members, Chanaka Sudantha, was killed. In fact, the issue of election-related violence and the need to prevent them has been incoporated in our election manifesto. As a democratic political party, we want to be guided by a mature political culture. The best way to tell others to desist from violence is setting an example yourself, which we have been doing. Our party has discussed this issue with several NGOs for democratic elections, including the People's Alliance for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL). They have a responsibility and can do much towards the cause. Voters must be imparted with the knowledge with regard to their legitimate electoral rights. There must be awareness among them on the basics of the election rules and regulations. Several political parties are in the practice of employing thugs and spending huge sums for winning elections. Legal action should be instituted against this practice. We have also observed that the preferential voting system has immensely contributed to election-related violence. The system should be eliminated". Sihala Urumaya media spokesman Udaya Gammanpila: "Firstly we are proud to announce that we were not involved in any political violence; election-related or otherwise. I think ours is one of the few political parties that do not believe in violence as a means of political ends. We have taken all measures to ensure that our members and supporters do not resort to violence of any kind. We believe that the preferential voting system and district-based elections are the main reasons for violence and other unlawful activities during elections. So the primary concern of political parties insisting on snap general elections should be to focus their attention on changing the existing electoral system. Wider national lists to accommodate minor political parties and political groups should be introduced under the proposed electoral reforms. We think that election-related violence is a direct outcome of the existing electoral system. Therefore, if all political parties and politicians are genuinely interested in preventing election-related violence, they should get-together to change the existing electoral system". Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Secretary General, Hassan Ali: "The SLMC has always insisted on peaceful elections. Everyone should understand that we can show our strength only through peaceful elections and not through violence. We have been at the receiving end during past elections. Our supporters were subjected to intimidation and threats. They were prevented from voting. This happened during elections in the North-Western Province. In Udatalawinna, Kandy, our supporters were killed and 17 ballot boxes were hijacked and burnt. We do not resort to violence as a policy. When violence is let loose against us by others, we can only stretch our hands for help to the government. For many political parties and politicians, an election means getting ready for a war. This seems to be the order of the day. Everything possible to avert this dangerous trend should be done and we would extend our whole-hearted co-operation and support towards that." |
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