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| Friday, 5 December 2003 |
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A proposal for a combined electoral and PR basis election by Eddie Fernando This scheme ensures: 1. Every electorate is represented by an MP, elected by the people of that electorate. 2. The proportional representation without any change. 3. Complete elimination of preferential voting system. 4. Provision for the vision of the President to have more intellectuals in parliament by appointment. How to implement the system 1. The number of candidates from each party and Independent Group should be the exact number of electorates in that district, thus nominating each for a specific electorate. (No party has ever won a seat more than the number of electorates in any district in any election. It cannot happen and it will not happen, in the PR system). 2. Voting will be on electoral basis as at now, but, without the preferential voting. Counting will be electorate-wise and district-wise. The district count will accommodate minor parties as well as proportional representation for the losing major parties, whilst electing MPs specially for each and every electorate. Provision is there even for the winning party to obtain more seats on PR. 3. Election of members / results (a) Electoral basis results: The candidates nominated for electorates will be elected on the majority in that electorate, pending results (counting) to elect MPs on PR basis. (b) PR basis results: On the count of the district votes, seats would be allocated according to present system without any change. (c) Final results: Whichever is high out of above 3.a and 3.b. (d) Allocation of seats: i. The allocation as per above 3.a. will remain unchanged. ii. The additional seats achieved on above 3.c. will be given to losing candidates who achieved highest percentage in their electorates. But they will not be MPs for the electorates that they contested or any other electorate in the district since all the seats are already allocated as per above 3.a. Therefore they will have to function as district MPs. iii. But, these MPs will become 'burdens' and 'nuisance' to everyone, including other MPs, the constituents, the party, the government and for themselves too, since all the electorates have MPs constitutionally appointed by the people. Also, they have been specially and categorically defeated by the people of the electorate, thereby they should bow out respectfully. iv. Since the President has a vision in accommodating more intellectuals, the best would be to make use of this opportunity. A 'district list' (something like the national list) with the party leadership holding authority to appoint, will enable them to have the services of the intellectuals, the learned, the educated and the statesmen. 4. Final goal achieved: (a) The scheme ensures that every electorate is represented by an MP, who is elected by the people of that particular electorate. (b) The scheme completely eliminates (the 'curse' of) the Preferential Voting System. (c) The scheme provides for more intellectuals, the learned, the educated and the statesmen in Parliament. (d) The PR remains unchanged. The descriptive proposal could be made available if called for. |
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