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| Sunday, 16 October 2005 |
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Elections' cost escalates year on year - Dr. Saman Kelegama by Elmo Leonard The presidental election scheduled for November 17 could cost the country Rs. 750 to Rs 1 billion ($10 million); it being too early for accurate assessment. The parliamentary elections of 2001 cost the government approximately Rs. 600 million and the general election of 2004, around Rs. 750 million. Conforming to the now trend of all-round price increases, the cost of holding elections also escalates year-on- year, executive director of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) Dr Saman Kelegama said. Rs. 1 billion could be a small amount compared with Sri Lanka's annual budget, but the country is now experiencing more frequent elections, than in past decades. Depending on who wins the forthcoming general election - it is possible that the country could in the near future face another general election, meaning a strain on the Treasury. Sri Lanka's multi-layered decentralised system of administration which includes, local government, provincial councils, the executive presidency and the parliament, all necessitates the holding of elections. The nation cannot afford to hold so many elections, with the current budgetary constraints, the conflicts in the north and east of the island, the damage caused by the tsunami and now the external factor of rising oil prices, Dr Kelegama said. The trend of a hung parliament and fragile coalition governments has been the norm in the last few years, which leads to the holding of frequent elections, being counter productive to the growth of a healthy economy Dr Kelegama said. A less politicised Sri Lankan society would be good for the nation's economic prosperity. For instance, less work is done in the government sector during the time of elections; reports for instance are now completed, expecting change. Thus, less development work is undertaken. Governments have to bear the cost of expenses for government servants engaged in duties of election, they perform. Election related propaganda carried out by all parties needs money. The high cost of printing posters, which are displayed all over the country, siphon out the nation's foreign exchange. Trade union action, including strikes are common at times of elections and disrupt normal economic activity and bear an adverse impact on the economy, to say the least, Dr Kelegama said. With the change of governments, the ongoing work of the previous governments freeze. Then, there has to be new planning and new people involved in the work undertaken. This means added expense, a waste and or duplication of human resources, waste of funds, materials and equipment. The demand for money, time, energy and imagination of the people drawn towards the holding of frequent elections and unnecessary political involvement could be channelled into building the mega projects of the nation, including power, highways, ports and other such infrastructure. On the contrary, in the Malaysian context, Mathir Mohamed lead the
country from 1981 to 2002. During that period there was continuity and the
Malaysian economy moved forward by leaps and bounds, Dr Kelegama said. |
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