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| Saturday, 27 March 2004 |
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Make this election a democratic festival by A. R. M. T. B. Ratnayake The elder citizens of this country, have witnessed the transformation, if not from monarchy to republic at least, from Colonial rule to independence, from no party to party system, from limited to universal franchise, and then to full democracy. All these transformations meant new relationships between the citizen and the state, and new forms of political participations. As everybody recalls today, periodical elections in the past, have been great democratic festivals. From the dissolution of Parliament to the day of the election of the new government, it was a process through which the society asserted the belief in its own changing political and social culture, by the actual performance of this democratic ritual. During this time, the entire society was politically motivated, but it remained emotionally tolerant of political differences, which was only a part of the process. The voter enthusiastically took part in the political festival, taking place around him. This rhythm of the festival, increased and decreased, but reached its most tense level on the day of the polling and totally died away at the end of it. It was smiles all over and no rivalries or clashes to be witnessed; because the victory was conceived as the outcome of a joint effort of the electorate. Voters as well as the non-voting population recognized the ballot as representing the collective will of the people and not as one that would drive the people into warring political camps, destroying their traditional bonds of brotherhood. This will of the people was officially articulated by the voters, at the beginning by inserting the ballot to the box which had the colour chosen by the voter and later by marking the ballot as practised now. It was also legitimately expressed by the non-voters and children who joined in the other ceremonies associated with the electoral process. In all our earlier elections, voting behaviour had been mainly influenced by social factors such as closeness, class occupation, but with the growth of affluence and political affiliations such alignments withered away. Surely, few public events in the country can rival the colour and excitement of a truly fought election. Further Parliamentary elections fought on party lines and involving reasonably specific issues have been a real and effective arbiter of politics in the country since popular participation came into force in our political life. Elections have been hold regularly, since the first parliamentary election, on the basis of universal franchise, in 1947, except the twelve years since 1977, when the electorate underwent a dull period without elections. Balloting in the first three elections was spread over several days, and since 1960 the entire poll, through the island, has been conducted on a single day Each of the earlier elections received very enthusiastic participation and had surprises that could keep the electorate alive for years. 1956 election, whereby the powerful UNP was reduced to mere 8 seats, and the election that followed where a Prime Minister (Dr. W. Dahanayake) lost his seat for the first time in the history of elections in this country, were such surprises. More than election of a government the voter viewed the election as a democratic right. He relished in the dramatic demonstration of the ritual function of elections. First, the voters interest was roused on the selection of a person for nomination or receiving the party endorsement. The second pace of the ceremony perhaps the most extensive one was the central campaign which involved candidates, workers, voters and everyone else as both player and audience. That brought in a hive of activities for the voter. He ran from one election meeting to the other to listen to and digest all what the campaigners and candidates had to say. The third ceremony, in fact that central performance who the polling in which the most important player was the voter. After the third ceremony, the local kachcheri the office of the election returning officer became a hive of activities. It hummed with the chatter of party workers and constituents waiting to honour the new legislators. After the secluded counting ritual, the winning candidates emerged from the entrance, or perhaps the balcony to face the eagerly waiting crowd which was already engrossed in its own revelry. The winner was then received instantly with thunder of "Jayaveva". The winner, who beamed with pride was bodily raised in the air by the crowd, and carried to the victory procession. This victory march marked the end of the ceremony and also the end of the political differences. Half a century of independence and democratic life, has only produced a nation of individuals politically divided, allowing an increasing weakening of voter fidelity to parties which is inturn, a sure sign of gradual decomposition of the party system of government itself. The foremost thing the country needs just now is the creation of a healthy democratic environment as experienced in the past. Let this election take the lead. |
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