Getting election held for the whole country is a victory for the people
by
“We had taken a political decision to propose that the local government election that would be held throughout the country should be held first and the provincial council election should be held under the new electoral system. Using this stance Rajapaksa clique charged us of helping the government to postpone elections. We didn’t come out with various statements like that clique does all the time. We had a definite plan to get the government to hold the local government election that is held throughout the island. For, it is a good opportunity to get the people’s views about the government. Also, it would be possible to hold a provincial council election with a proportionate, just representation, without preferential system, with a strong women’s representation and a system that gets a representative for a constituency,” said the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka.
Mr. Dissanayaka made these observations at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelwatta today (10th). The Member of the Central Committee of the JVP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa MP too was present.
Speaking further Mr. Dissanayaka said, “The JVP, with a definite plan regarding holding local government elections, initiated an operation. We took measures to change the local government election system and win a just electoral system. The electoral system set up with the mediation of Basil Rajapaksa in 2012 was a distorted one. That system discarded the multi-party politics and paved the way for a two-party political system. The likes of Basil Rajapaksa attempted to centralize the local government election to two main parties. The Chairman of delimitation committee Mr. Asoka Peiris said if elections are held according to the proposed system there would be bloodshed in the country. For, Basil’s electoral system had denied opportunities for opinions that differ. As such, we stated that we would have to consider whether we would take part in such an election. Also, we carried out an intense struggle to get this electoral system changed. The delimitations process prepared for the system was erroneous. The delimitations were decided in residences of former SLFP organizers. Delimitations were carried out so that they would get an advantage. Those places that were disadvantageous to them were made multi-member constituencies. As such, the electoral system and the delimitation process prepared by Basil Rajapaksa and the group were distorted ones.
A committee chaired by Mr. Asoka Peiris was appointed to correct the delimitation process. The committee re-arranged delimitations within one and a half years taking into consideration views of the masses. Later the Minister published it in the gazette. The next challenge was to change the distorted electoral system. A lengthy struggle had to be carried out in party leaders’ meetings in parliament to amend the Act. As such, it was possible to get the new electoral system that gives a justifiable power to every vote, gives the ward a representative, strengthens women’s representation and abolishes preferential system passed in Parliament. We do not say this electoral system is the most impartial and correct electoral system. However, it is more democratic than the distorted electoral system Basil Rajapaksa wanted to bring in.
The long delay in holding the local government election was due to the issues of the existing electoral system and the delimitation process. Also, the government too had wanted to get the elections postponed. The government, instead of getting solutions for the issues hid behind the issues and postponed the elections. The next challenge was to hold the election. While preparing for the local government election the terms of three provincial councils were to be ended on 2nd October. Then, there would be a provincial council election and there was a possibility of getting local government elections postponed again. We had taken a political decision to propose that the local government election that would be held throughout the country should be held first and the provincial council election should be held under the new electoral system. Using this stance Rajapaksa clique charged us of helping the government to postpone elections. We didn’t come out with various statements like that clique does all the time. We had a definite plan to get the government to hold the local government election that is held throughout the island. For, it is a good opportunity to get the people’s views about the government. Also, it would be possible to hold a provincial council election with a proportionate, just representation, without preferential system, with a strong women’s representation and a system that gets a representative for a constituency.
According to the new Local Government Councils Act the number of representatives would increase. As such the Acts have to be amended. The JVP proposed tht a special Parliamentary session should be convened on 26th September and 9th October to present the acts and get them passed. The three local government councils constitutive acts have been completed. The Minister said in Parliament that the gazette announcing the election would be issued within a week. Once the gazette is issued the Elections Commission has the authority to hold the election. Getting the election was a well-planned process. We tried our best to get the election held in December. It is not compulsory to hold the local government election on a Saturday but having it on a Saturday would increase participation. As it would not be possible to get schools for election work in December the attention is to hold the election on a Saturday at the end of January.
The JVP, as a party, is carrying out a continuous struggle to protect the voting right of the people and people’s representation is justly reflected at the election. We feel the people in the country should appreciate what we do for their voting rights and they value our work. We have already begun the initial organizational moves for the election. At the moment we are planning g our propaganda activities. We are also discussing the message the party should take to the people with the local government election campaign.
Rajapaksa clique whimpered at times regarding the election and at times it moaned, growled and spread slanders. They all lasted only about two weeks and died down when our attempts became successful. Now, there is an opportunity to hold the local government election properly. We are content with the result of our attempt. With our contribution, it was possible to give the people a fair election. Also, the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government acted in a very flexible manner. We appreciate that and are thankful to him.”
Mr. Dissanayaka made these observations at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelwatta today (10th). The Member of the Central Committee of the JVP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa MP too was present.
Speaking further Mr. Dissanayaka said, “The JVP, with a definite plan regarding holding local government elections, initiated an operation. We took measures to change the local government election system and win a just electoral system. The electoral system set up with the mediation of Basil Rajapaksa in 2012 was a distorted one. That system discarded the multi-party politics and paved the way for a two-party political system. The likes of Basil Rajapaksa attempted to centralize the local government election to two main parties. The Chairman of delimitation committee Mr. Asoka Peiris said if elections are held according to the proposed system there would be bloodshed in the country. For, Basil’s electoral system had denied opportunities for opinions that differ. As such, we stated that we would have to consider whether we would take part in such an election. Also, we carried out an intense struggle to get this electoral system changed. The delimitations process prepared for the system was erroneous. The delimitations were decided in residences of former SLFP organizers. Delimitations were carried out so that they would get an advantage. Those places that were disadvantageous to them were made multi-member constituencies. As such, the electoral system and the delimitation process prepared by Basil Rajapaksa and the group were distorted ones.
A committee chaired by Mr. Asoka Peiris was appointed to correct the delimitation process. The committee re-arranged delimitations within one and a half years taking into consideration views of the masses. Later the Minister published it in the gazette. The next challenge was to change the distorted electoral system. A lengthy struggle had to be carried out in party leaders’ meetings in parliament to amend the Act. As such, it was possible to get the new electoral system that gives a justifiable power to every vote, gives the ward a representative, strengthens women’s representation and abolishes preferential system passed in Parliament. We do not say this electoral system is the most impartial and correct electoral system. However, it is more democratic than the distorted electoral system Basil Rajapaksa wanted to bring in.
The long delay in holding the local government election was due to the issues of the existing electoral system and the delimitation process. Also, the government too had wanted to get the elections postponed. The government, instead of getting solutions for the issues hid behind the issues and postponed the elections. The next challenge was to hold the election. While preparing for the local government election the terms of three provincial councils were to be ended on 2nd October. Then, there would be a provincial council election and there was a possibility of getting local government elections postponed again. We had taken a political decision to propose that the local government election that would be held throughout the country should be held first and the provincial council election should be held under the new electoral system. Using this stance Rajapaksa clique charged us of helping the government to postpone elections. We didn’t come out with various statements like that clique does all the time. We had a definite plan to get the government to hold the local government election that is held throughout the island. For, it is a good opportunity to get the people’s views about the government. Also, it would be possible to hold a provincial council election with a proportionate, just representation, without preferential system, with a strong women’s representation and a system that gets a representative for a constituency.
According to the new Local Government Councils Act the number of representatives would increase. As such the Acts have to be amended. The JVP proposed tht a special Parliamentary session should be convened on 26th September and 9th October to present the acts and get them passed. The three local government councils constitutive acts have been completed. The Minister said in Parliament that the gazette announcing the election would be issued within a week. Once the gazette is issued the Elections Commission has the authority to hold the election. Getting the election was a well-planned process. We tried our best to get the election held in December. It is not compulsory to hold the local government election on a Saturday but having it on a Saturday would increase participation. As it would not be possible to get schools for election work in December the attention is to hold the election on a Saturday at the end of January.
The JVP, as a party, is carrying out a continuous struggle to protect the voting right of the people and people’s representation is justly reflected at the election. We feel the people in the country should appreciate what we do for their voting rights and they value our work. We have already begun the initial organizational moves for the election. At the moment we are planning g our propaganda activities. We are also discussing the message the party should take to the people with the local government election campaign.
Rajapaksa clique whimpered at times regarding the election and at times it moaned, growled and spread slanders. They all lasted only about two weeks and died down when our attempts became successful. Now, there is an opportunity to hold the local government election properly. We are content with the result of our attempt. With our contribution, it was possible to give the people a fair election. Also, the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government acted in a very flexible manner. We appreciate that and are thankful to him.”
