Campaign review
The Election campaign is
nearing its end. Only three days are left. It is time opportune
to cast a retrospective glance and see the salient features of
this campaign.
Firstly, it lacked the vigour and enthusiasm associated with
elections due to the low key campaign of the Opposition. The
UPFA had a virtually free field for most of the time.
Secondly, it was relatively the most peaceful campaign.
Inter-party clashes were minimal.
Thirdly, the intensification of the intra-party clashes for
preferential votes was most prominent with even supporters of
Ministers clashing openly. Time and again the Party leaders had
to discipline their candidates.
Fourthly, most candidates were bent on projecting their own
image and relegate to the background the Party. It was not Party
before me but me before Party. In this sense the question of
country before me never arose. In projecting themselves above
the Party some candidates even went to the extent of promising
jobs on individual basis out of their own funds. While some
promised jobs in the garment industry others promised to discuss
with overseas friends and dole out jobs. The million dollar
questions are why they waited so long and till they got Party
nominations to reveal their magnanimity and why they failed to
give such jobs earlier. In a sense election period is like the
New Year season when one goes in search of your native village
and sees distant relatives offering them consolation gifts.
Fifthly, there was no serous discussion about party
manifestoes, policies and programs. While the UPFA had a
comprehensive program in Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma the UNP
and the DNA put out unfinished documents claiming to be
manifestoes.
Sixthly, in the absence of serious policy discussion,
individuals came to be discussed - either to be hailed as heroes
or degraded as villains. As far as publicity was concerned the
candidates spared no time and resources to portray themselves as
paragons of virtue - upright, truthful, humane, sincere etc.
Seventhly, the only debate was about whether the UPFA could
get two thirds majority or not. While the UPFA wanted a strong
government the Opposition parties could only claim to form a
coalition government after discussions following election
results, a proposition not so convincing. To an observer it
looked as if the Opposition has already conceded defeat and is
only haggling to reduce the majority of the Government party.
Eighthly, one clear evidence was forthcoming from all
quarters. All parties were brazenly flouting the election laws
concerning propaganda. The Elections Commissioner was helpless.
His appeals to leaders of political parties fell on deaf ears.
The Police were also unable to clear public places of Election
propaganda material. Though they did a better job than
previously the candidates aggressively displayed their symbols,
numbers and faces once again so that the whole exercise became a
game of hide and seek between the Police and candidates.
Last not least the campaign illustrated in bold relief the
evil character of the preferential system of voting. It is the
source of most Election violence and rivalry. It gives a
definite advantage to the moneybags over the humble candidates.
It also brings to the fore an unholy alliance of the politics
and the criminal mafia.
These characteristics perhaps would not go unnoticed among
the voters. Their verdict on April 8 will give a clue to their
perception of candidates, their qualifications and character.
All are kings
Universal franchise has given the people a gift. They all
become kings for a day, once in six years. As soon as the ballot
closes they all become slaves once again. That is democracy.
Those who smile from platforms, those who grin from every
nook and corner and those who promise to get the sun and the
moon for the people forget them the sooner the ballot closes.
If they are victorious then they become their lords not their
obedient servants any more. He becomes mantree hamuduruvo and
the people become his vassals. If they get defeated then the
voters are blamed for his failure.
This is the natural law of parliamentary democracy. The
trials and tribulations of the people would continue as they
were before unless the people continue to be vigilant and uphold
their rights. |