Ethical elections

Saturday, 11 August 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The apology made by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem is both timely and appropriate as it comes at a time when election campaigning needs to become more ethical. The ideology of winning at any cost has burdened this country too long, and politicians that take responsibility for their actions are a rare commodity.

Nonetheless the apology does little to detract from the fact that his statements should not have been made in the first place. Despite tensions over the Dambulla mosque and other incidents, they have shown more than ever before that great tact and fairness must prevail for Sri Lanka not to descend into the same situation that caused a three decade war.

With the conflict only three years behind us it is all the more important to use this opportunity for peace wisely. This means that public figures, Muslim or otherwise, have to act in a responsible manner that ensures justice for all. Hakeem being the Justice Minister cannot fail to see the logic in this policy.

Grievances need to be addressed within context and with extreme care. Bringing them onto a politically charged platform is akin to opening the proverbial Pandora’s Box; expect in this case hope may not have been included in it. Having suffered under ethnic ties for decades this legacy needs to be squashed out so that at least the future generations are not tainted by it. Politicising such an issue would only be a demerit to everyone.

The upcoming elections are already poised to be tense with instances of abuse of State property even heading to court. There have been reports that thousands of graduates are being recruited and public servants given a variety of promises and transfers. The Government is readying a supplementary Budget of Rs. 14 billion and in the last Cabinet meeting allocated a whopping Rs. 59 billion for Deyata Kirula projects, which are incidentally in areas where the elections will be held. In addition, Rs. 3.6 billion has been allocated for drought assistance, which some critics point out can also be used to promote the ruling party in those same regions.

For an election to be truly free and fair it must also be free of unethical practices such as abuse of State resources to coerce voters. Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in his weekly Cabinet briefing called on politicians to stop campaigning on religious lines. This worthy trait must be met half way by other politicians that will work to ensure the rights of minorities as well as providing a sustainable political solution to the ethnic issue.

Campaigning on ethnic or religious lines is absolutely reprehensible, which no fair minded person would argue, but they would also insist that other abuses be stopped as well. Democracy is a two-way street that gives people the right to make the best informed decision and hold their public representatives responsible for their actions.

Politicians that believe in pluralism and equal rights are what Sri Lanka needs. This country has seen too much blood spilled for the wrong reasons and all politicians have a responsibility to make sure such a tragedy never happens again.