A change in the present electoral system?

Days of 'passing the buck' will be over

Pulse of the People by Ananda Kannangara

Majority of the people in the country are in favour of the `First-past-the-post' system, with a feeling that it could be the best method to form a stable Government. The `Sunday Observer' last week interviewed a cross section of the public on this issue.

Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratna Thera advocates a stable government in our country especially to solve the national crisis and by re-introducing the `first-past-the-post' system will be the best thing to fulfil that obligation.

The Ven. Thera added that under the old system which was done away with, after the UNP came to power in 1977, elected members were responsible to carry out development activities and to attend to welfare facilities of the voters living in their particular electorates.

"Under the present Proportional Representation (PR) system, it is a pity to note that majority of the members who are elected to Parliament do not pay heed to the grievances of voters, dishing out an excuse that they have to cater to a large section of people in the other electorates which come under the same district."

The Ven. Thera feels that PR system delays development activities in their respective electorates as no member wants to undertake any responsibility.

He also requests the Government not to increase the number of seats in Parliament as the present number 225 is quite sufficient to cater to the public.

Asked on his opinion on Buddhist priests represented in Parliament, he admitted that he was totally against them seated along with the laity in the Parliamentary chamber.

"Their paramount duty is to serve the people, without party politics and they must be in a position to advise all the members in Parliament without considering their political leanings."

The Ven. Monk also expressed his displeasure over the Executive Presidential system, which is vested with full executive powers and instead the Parliament must be given the executive powers.

Science and Technology Minister and Member of the Electoral Reforms Parliament Select Committee (ERPSC), Prof. Tissa Vitharana was also critical of the present PR system, pointing out that not a single political party can form a stable Government under the system.

"If majority are elected to the Parliament through the `First-past -the-post' system, a government can run smoothly for the benefit of people without any hindrance."

"See what has happened today, more than 100 ministerial portfolios have been offered to members in the Government side, a result of the PR system."

The Minister also said the ERPSC has proposed to the Government to re-introduce the `First-past-the-post' system which the people in the country had exercised before 1977 and also to elect members through the present PR system in future.

"Accordingly 140 members be elected on the basis of highest votes polled by each candidate in the respective electorate, 70 members on the basis of district votes received by political parties and the remaining 15 members from the national list.

However the EPRSC want certain number of professionals and educated community to be nominated through a national list.

UNP Parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana was reserved in his comments on the proposals but assured that the UNP is expected to put up its own before the EPRSC.

"Our party is aware that this is an important issue, considering the stability of governments in the future, keep the present political scenario in our minds."

However, the Minister ruled this issue cannot be discussed and decided overnight.

"While talking about electoral reforms, we have to focus our attention towards other key areas, such as the national problem, resettlement of displaced people, high cost of living etc".

When asked on the JVP 's poor response to then Government's proposed electoral reforms, Dr. Jayawardana said that not only the JVP, but also the SLMC are keen on this move, as their position will become weaker by the First-past-the-post' system, with less number of seats in Parliament.

"The country needs a stable Government to bring about a better political atmosphere and therefore the UNP will act accordingly".

A private sector executive M. R. Farook welcomed the Government's plans to bring in electoral reforms and said that re-introducing the `First-past-the-post' system was best to the country and the people.

"I am a resident in Colombo and nearly 40 members were elected to Parliament from Colombo District at the last general election under the present PR system,"

"We are clueless as to whom we should discuss our shortcomings, each MP passes the buck to another, which has become the order of the day".

A manager in a shoe import company, Ameen Aslam Thowfeek was not happy with the present PR system.

"Government must re-introduce the `First-past-the-post' system again, whereby we will know which Parliamentarian is responsible to attend to a particular issue."

Thowfeek was also of the view that like in many countries, the judiciary in Sri Lanka too must be above all.

A former Sri Lanka football player A. M. Naina Mohamad too expressed his displeasure with the PR system.

Parliamentary elections must be conducted according to the electoral basis, and if so, the particular Parliamentarian could be easily identified by the voters.

A businessman Angelo Perera is happy with the present system and pointed out that unlike before 1977, people now can easily direct their problems to anyone of the Parliamentarians representing the district.

"Under the present system even the candidates of even smaller political parties could enter Parliament,"

Dr. Ruwantha Amarajeewa, attached to a government hospital in the Galle District has his doubts. He says he has a strange feeling that the Government is trying to bring in reforms with an objective to form stable governments in the future, with a large representation from their party or the UNP.

"But what will happen to minor parties like the JVP and the JHU. Definitely if a future election is held in this new system, I don't think even six JVPers and two JHUers will be able to enter Parliament".

Asst. Manager of People's Bank Mrs. Nirmala Ariyasinghe too voiced the same opinion about the plight of JVP and the JHU.

"If the `First-past-the-post' system is re-introduced the poor JVPers will be left high and dry and may even think of revolutionary methods."

School Principal, Dharmasiri Wedagedara cautioned the Government about re-introducing the old system.

"If that system is introduced, SLFPers and UNPers can reap the harvest of perks and benefits once again like before 1977. Then what about the JVP and the JHU, who will be definitely not more than four or five in number, represented in parliament.