PC polls and the democratic process

Predictably, the dissolution of the Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern Provincial Councils has triggered some feverish speculation in particularly Opposition circles on the reasons for this seemingly premature initiative. While it would not be pertinent to comment on the validity of these hazy hypotheses, we consider it in order to point out that no democratic norms and traditions have been violated by the dissolution of the Councils. On the contrary, the move could help sustain the vibrancy of local democracy.

In any dynamic democracy, the by-election or the mid-term poll is eagerly awaited by the electorate because it helps the observer in the task of assessing the effectiveness or otherwise of his government.

Even in Sri Lanka, in former times, when members were elected to Parliament on a polling division or electorate basis, unlike the more impersonal current system where, for instance, members are elected to the legislature on a district and political party foundation, with the focus falling less on personalities, the mid-term by-election was eagerly awaited by voters. Such mid-term or 'half way through' electoral contests were welcomed by governments also because they provided a measure of the government's appeal for the people.

Therefore, going for an election, at national or provincial level, before the expiration of the full term of office of the relevant incumbent administrations, is a perfectly democratic and legitimate exercise which would add whim and vigour to the prevailing democratic order. The Opposition, in fact, should welcome these opportunities to run afresh for office, popularize and project their policies and agendas and gauge their standing with the electorate. These opportunities to run for election should, therefore, be wholeheartedly welcomed by our polity.

While seeing polls of this nature as contributing significantly to the democratic process, the upcoming series of elections should also be seen as providing an opportunity to once again assess the performance of the Provincial Council system. We hope that the upcoming electoral debates would focus strongly on the issue of how well the needs of the people are being served by the PC system.

While the tussle for power and office among political parties is the stuff of politics, we hope the larger questions relating to the PCs would also be addressed. For instance, besides the ability of the PCs to address the needs of the public, the polls debates would also need to take up the issue of whether the functions of these provincial institutions are corruption-free and whether the grassroots masses' voices are being integrated into the decision-making process.

We cannot subscribe to the notion that the PCs are 'white elephants' because they, theoretically, play a significant role in the development process. The potentialities in the system have not been exploited fully to date and this is probably why the structure is seen by some as not serving any useful purposes. But the fact is that the strengths of the system have not been recognized fully and used to the maximum.

Therefore, we hope the system would receive the attention it should. Such considerations are of special significance to the Eastern Province.

Traveling in the Eastern Province could be an enjoyable experience on account of the vastly developed road network in the region. If road development and maintenance is a pointer to development, then, the Eastern Provincial Council could be considered as having done well. But, road construction is not the sole substance and standard of development.

To what extent are the total needs of the people being met by the Eastern PC? To what degree are the people at the centre of the decision-making process in the PC? These and many more questions need to be put to those at the helm of not only the Eastern PC but of the other PCs too. May we remind those avariciously waiting to plunge into the election race that power is not an end in itself. Power is the means, on the contrary, to meeting the needs of the people.