Jumbos right
Editorial-June 15, 2015
The UNP has, after some dilly-dallying, decided against a bigger Parliament. This is a welcome move. It does not make either economic or political sense to have more MPs.
Some political observers are of the view that the number of parliamentary seats should go up in keeping with the increase in population since 1978, when the present Constitution came into being. They, however, do not take into consideration the large number of provincial councillors (457) including ministers (45) we are burdened with thanks to the 13th Amendment. People are well represented at the local government, provincial and national levels.
In India with a population of 1.28 billion, the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 552 members elected on the basis of universal adult suffrage. (The Rajya Sabha consists of not more than 250 members.) So, it defies comprehension why Sri Lanka with a tiny population of a little over 20 million should have a bigger Parliament.
The present-day MPs have proved beyond any doubt that the country can do without most of them. Parliament, more often than not, is unable to have quorate sessions as most of its members are absent. It is half empty even when crucial debates take place and vital laws are passed. Many are the intellectually challenged and horizontally gifted legislators who make no significant contribution to the parliamentary process. So, the number of MPs can be reduced drastically without the functions of the national legislature affected at all.
It has taken the government so long to wise up to the fact that under the proposed mixed system the number of MPs could vary. We pointed this out more than 20 years ago when the need for electoral reforms was first discussed seriously, and again in April this year. In Germany constituencies numbering 299 return one half of the Bundestag (parliament) members while others are elected through party lists from states. A voter casts two votes, one for a candidate in his or her constituency and the other for a party of his or her choice. Although about 598 Bundestag members are supposed to be elected this way for an electoral term the number of representatives varies due to ‘overhang seats’ and ‘balance seats’.
The UNP has proposed to keep the number of parliamentarians constant at the expense of the National List slots. However, there are bound to be some practical problems in this respect and it is advisable to study the proposed system carefully to see whether it is going to work. Reforms, electoral or otherwise, mustn’t be rushed through Parliament if they are to stand the test of time. The current Constitution is riddled with flaws because its architect was in a mighty hurry to promulgate it, having become the head of government too late in the day. He was racing against ‘the time’s winged chariot hurrying near’. The Old Fox is now pushing up daisies and we are left holding the baby! Writing or amending Constitutions is not something to be done the way rotis are baked.
Meanwhile, minor and minority political parties have taken exception to some aspects of the proposed electoral system. Their demand for two ballots each for voters is nothing but fair. Serious thought should be given to adopting it. Fears and apprehensions of those parties need to be addressed. Electoral reforms must be an inclusive, consensual process and no stakeholder should be railroaded into accepting a fait accompli.
President Maithripala Sirisena is torn between the UNP which wants the number of MPs to remain the same and the SLFP which is for a bigger Parliament. A tug of war between the two main parties over electoral reforms will further delay the dissolution of Parliament much to the consternation of the UNP. The President is faced with the uphill task of pleasing everybody. This is the price one has to pay for opting for political polygamy.
