Tuesday, June 23, 2015

The 20A: Elections & Numbers

By Mano Ratwatte –June 23, 2015

Mano Ratwatte

The current parliament has run its due course. The character of the next Parliament is likely to be different from the one from 2010. Everyone is talking about the 20A. 19A was an excellent starting point thanks to one simple remarkable Buddhist man now sitting as President.

People want to reform that electoral system. This Parliament has 225 members. After comparing the following numbersA shouldn’t we ask the leaders, is such a large number of MPs necessary if more powers are to be devolved to the provinces? This should give us an idea about different Assemblies in selected democracies. 225 seems plenty for Sri Lankan considering the extraordinary amount of State funds that go to support them and the massive benefits they accrue.

Name of Country, Pop and Number of Seats in the Parliament or Assembly

Bangladesh, 156 million, 350 unicameral
Britain, 64 million 650 but more unique by having a House of Lords too ; no written constitution!
France 66.03 million, 577, But also has a unique executive Presidency
Germany 80.62 million, 637, also has a Chancellor elected by Bundestag
India, 1.25 BILLION, 545 including 2 reserved seats for Anglo-Indians;
Japan, 127.3 Million, 242 unicameral
S.Korea, 50.22 Million, 300 unicameral
Taiwan, 23.37m Million, 113 , halved their seats to 113 in 2004 by vote in Parliament; incredible!
USA, 318 Million, 437 but has a unique bicameral system with a powerful 100 member Senate. US is different in how much power each State has
Sri Lanka, 20.48 Million, 245 Seats plus 9 provincial governments with lots of perks, car permits and the whole shebang.