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| Monday, 15 March 2004 |
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Editorial | |
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| Please forward your comments to the Editor, Daily News. Email : editor@dailynews.lk Snail mail : Daily News, 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 11 2429429 / 94 11 2421181 Fax : 94 11 2429210 A wise 'no' to polling booths At a time when ensuring a free and fair election emerges as a number one priority, comes this preposterous suggestion in some sections that polling must take place in the uncleared areas of the North-East. Fortunately, the Elections Commissioner has shot down the idea in view of the obvious risks to voters and of course the ballot boxes in these areas as a result of not having police protection. Even a schoolboy is likely to be aware that the Sri Lanka Police and other arms of law enforcement of the Government are not present in these areas. They are LTTE-dominated areas whose status quo has been left unchallenged over the past two years in view of the peace process. The Government's Writ does not cover these areas although they remain part and parcel of the Lanka State. Accordingly, how could a legitimate poll be conducted in these regions without the presence of the Lankan Police which is charged with providing security for all areas of the country at polling time? What is the guarantee that election malpractices would not occur in the absence of the police? These questions would need to be answered convincingly by those advocating elections in the uncleared areas. If they cannot do so, the idea of a poll, would need to be dismissed as a very adventurous and dangerous one. We would like to stress, nevertheless, that we strongly uphold the civic rights of the Tamil people, wherever they may be. Accordingly, we wish from the bottom of our hearts that the citizenry of the uncleared areas would be in a position to exercise their franchise. However, since the situation in these areas is far from ideal, from the point of view of voting, we strongly back the decision of the Elections Commissioner to withhold the setting-up of polling booths in the uncleared areas. But it is our earnest wish that cluster polling booths be held in convenient locations to enable the people of the uncleared areas to exercise their vote. It is our position that this arrangement should be implemented by the Lankan authorities to the extent possible. Besides the UNP, some civic action groups have been advocating a poll in the areas in question. To these bodies, we would like to say: be sensible! How could a legitimate poll be conducted if the police would not be there to ensure a free and fair election? Needing to do good is fine as long as this intention doesn't degenerate into naivete. However, the clamour for a poll in the uncleared areas becomes just that. It would be wise of these advocates to stop engaging in petty politics. Let not the greed for votes blind them to common sense and reality. Neither should the desire to do good and ensure the people's participation at the poll, make one naive and foolish. |
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