Polls Chief calls for balanced electoral system

Rasika SOMARATHNA

COLOMBO: Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dissanayake yesterday identified the present electoral system as the root cause for the prevelance of violence and mal-practices which is part and parcel of every Sri Lankan election.

Addressing the media on the upcoming Provincial Council polls yesterday the Commissioner observed that the present tug-of-war for preferential votes along with virulent inter party rivalry began with the advent of the proportional system in 1981.

The Commissioner advocated Authorities to find a balance between the first past post system and proportional system which would give better representation to peoples aspirations.

He also charged that most political parties and groups which come forward at election times were non serious political entitities which have been promoted as a crux by major parties to bolster their numbers at polling booths, counting centres, political meetings etc.

”I have not received a single letter from some parties during my entire tenure as the Elections Commissioner” he said.

The Commissioner also pointed out that even though there were 16 political parties and 38 independent groups in the fray at the up coming PC elections for the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Province the real competition was between two or three parties.

These political groups which just make numbers during election time are a burden to both election authorities, general public and the country, the Commissioner charged. He further said that proper action against these parties could not be taken due to loopholes in the system and that his repeated proposals for amendments had fallen on deaf ears.

Commenting on the role of the Police during election time, the Commissioner noted that power of implementation of the election law was vested with the Police and added that the newly appointed IGP had given an assurance recently that expectations would be met regarding security matters.

He further emphasised that his department was doing its utmost to hold a free and fair election but needed the support of others such as political parties, monitors, civil society etc. to fullfill aspirations.

The Commisioner urged the leaders of civil society to come forward to prevent violence and mal-practices during elections.

The Commissioner also said that he would take stern measures against any election official who is charged with aiding and abetting mal-practices.

He also added that his Department was taken unawares due to the timing of the election and had to work hard to clear many hurdles to finalise preparation with lack of manpower being the main hindrance.