Sustaining the democratic process

The third and final phase of the Local Government elections concludes today with the conduct of such polls to 17 Municipal Councils, an Urban Council and five Pradeshiya Sabhas. Whatever the outcome of these elections, one could take considerable satisfaction in the fact that the democratic process in this country is continuing strongly. In fact, democracy will be among the biggest victors in these polls, if not the predominant winner.

This is something that could be collectively rejoiced over in this country. That is, the fact that the democratic process is continuing to flourish at numerous levels. Just a few months back local polls were even held in the once chronically violence-ridden North and on that occasion too much satisfaction was derived by advocates of democracy over the fact that the people of the province were in a position to exercise their vote, in an atmosphere which was conducive to exercising the people's will. In other words, the democratic process was on again in the North, which, at one time lay squashed under the LTTE's jackboot.

We need hardly say that this country was saved from the ravenous jaws of anarchic violence on several occasions and it stands to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's and the country's Security Forces' credit that they figured in the biggest triumph of this kind by comprehensively beating back and eliminating the LTTE, which proved the biggest stumbling block to this country's advancement over 30 long years. Besides the sense of relief that the people experienced in the aftermath of this resounding defeat of the Tigers, what proved a most priceless gain for the lovers of democracy was the restoration of the North-East people's inalienable rights. Needless to say, the right to vote is foremost among these freedoms.

Therefore, all in all, the Lankan citizenry could take pride in the fact that democracy is surviving strongly in this country and today's vote should be seen as underscoring Sri Lanka's strong democratic credentials. It will be in the interests of all to ensure that we have a peaceful poll where law and order will be prominent by its presence. It is also relieving that the electioneering too was largely peaceful and that the law was generally obeyed in the run-up to the poll today. Things have to remain this way if Sri Lanka is to continue on its triumphant course.

Winning and losing are the stuff of elections and triumphs as well as setbacks have to be accepted in a spirit of humility and good will. It would not be in the interests of the country and democracy for losers to give vent to their sense of frustration and disappointment by causing law and order problems for the authorities or for victors to celebrate their wins by running amok on the streets. Both kinds of behaviour could work against the well being of the public and that of the country.

The public too are obliged to cast their vote today with a full realization of the magnitude of their act. There is a general tendency to see local elections too as an arena of the struggle for power of the major political parties. Of course, political polarities in the larger society cannot be prevented from penetrating the Local Government scene, but it must be borne in mind by the public that local elections are essentially all about local issues that touch the lives of the local people very closely and vitally. In other words, these local polls need to be highly issue-based and the voter would need to cast his or her vote on the basis of how well local issues have been resolved by the numerous persons and groups that are wooing him or her.

While it is entirely up to the voter to decide which of the contestants deserves her precious vote, she too should see local polls as a way of sustaining democratic traditions and institutions in this country in the most robust manner. The worst that could happen is for the voter to cast her or his vote as a matter of mechanical routine with no questions being asked as to whether those vociferously clamouring for votes have been working for the common benefit. The alert voter is the best judge of this issue. Those who have worked for progressive and dynamic change have their work to show as their best credentials. The voter would prove to be very short-sighted if he chooses to ignore these concrete achievements and prefer those who have nothing to show by way of public service.

Therefore, a questioning public too is vital for the smooth functioning of democracy. In fact, a critical public is instrumental in keeping the flame of democracy burning. Local polls are a means, then, of fine-honing our thinking on things political. Without a critical public, democracy becomes a very routine, unexciting matter.