SL version of democracy

HAVING a free and fair election in Sri Lanka became more distant over the weekend. Despite the ruling party recording an emphatic win, democracy ended up the loser.  

Little went against its plan for the United People’s Freedom Front (UPFA) that saw its concentrated efforts backed by enthusiastic campaigning by the President and all prominent ministers in the run-up to Saturday. Millions of State funds and resources were used to promote the Government to the people and all was set to ensure that the vote would be overwhelmingly in its favour.

Election monitors also faced a familiar situation. It was reported over the weekend that incidents of vote buying, intimidation by armed groups, grabbing of polling cards, election violations and a fear psychosis prevented a large number of people from voting in the north.

Election officials said the estimated turnout was between 60% and 70%, with the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts recording 65% each and Jaffna 47%. This shows the disinterest of the people in what has become a common sentiment shared with their counterparts in the south. Even though traditionally mini-polls do not draw the same numbers as presidential or general elections, the low numbers, particularly in Jaffna, show that genuine trust and faith in the election system is absent.   

Independent polls monitors said there were blatant violations of election laws, with offences ranging from open bribery and the transporting of party supporters to the wide abuse of State machinery and other resources in favour of ruling party candidates. Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) had even reported unidentified groups attired in military-style uniforms that had stormed several villages in the Kilinochchi District shortly on Friday evening and grabbed polling cards from the residents.

They alleged that activists from UPFA had even offered Rs. 1,000-Rs. 1,500 to people in return for their polling cards. Dry rations and other essentials were also parcelled out to people. This happened under the heavy presence of Army and Police in the polling areas but no intervention was made by them.   

Brutal infighting that saw the death of a UPFA supporter and a general fear psychosis also discouraged voters. Predictably, most of the complaints came from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Police and election officials however refused to admit that there was anything wrong since the polling day passed without incident.

Election rigging and campaigning are divided by a fine line in Sri Lanka. Some can argue that the Government has every right to promote its numerous development programmes to score brownie points. Yet most would point out that since these are made with public money, they are therefore not the property of one political party exclusively. Moreover, the abuse of the State media, transport, election officials, Police and other resources usually give  the ruling party an overwhelming advantage, which is shamelessly exploited.

With every election, the very foundations of democracy are eroded. Little or no accountability, transparency or ethics of good governance are respected. Gaining the accurate views of the people and their wishes is all but impossible in this skewed system and while this would thrill the politicians, it would sadden those who believe in honourable public servants.