Total break-down of law and order feared as election day approaches
Joint Civil Society Statement on Election Violence
With the race for the presidency getting increasingly close and uncertain, there has been a considerable increase in tension throughout the country.
This gives rise to the danger that there can be obstructions to the exercise of the franchise on the day of election which needs to be effectively countered as the electoral process is the main source of legitimacy in a democracy. Election monitoring and media organizations have been reporting a sharp increase in election-related violence including several killings accompanied by a flagrant disregard of election laws including abuse of state resources.
The violation of election laws and the practice of violence at election time are not new phenomena and have taken place in previous elections under previous governments as well. However, on this occasion our concern is greater as the Election Commissioner himself has publicly bemoaned his helplessness and has threatened to give up his duties as his orders are being disregarded.
We, the undersigned organizations, believe that the impunity surrounding election-related practices, if further tolerated, will lead to space being created for a total breakdown of law and order as Election Day approaches. We call on the two main presidential candidates to jointly issue a statement for a cessation of violence and restoration of law and order with regard to the current election campaign. The government needs to immediately implement this call.
A further factor that may influence some sections of the electorate not to participate in the elections is the fear that they will become victims of the politics of revenge if they choose to go with the side that does not win. We therefore call on the rival candidates to make a pledge that they will not engage in the politics of revenge after the election, but strictly adhere to the rule of law. This will encourage voters from all communities to participate in the forthcoming elections and be stakeholders in the outcome, as empowered citizens of a real democracy. We trust that the candidates would by immediate actions demonstrate their commitment to the values outlined (which by their words they profess an adherence) and thereby create a path to a peaceful and fair election process as well as the future development of the country
Signed by
Association of War Affected Women
National Peace Council
R.M.B. Senanayake
Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum
Mannar Women for human rights and democracy
Center for Policy Alternative
M.C.M. Iqbal
Smathi Sivamohan
Sunila Abeysekara
Alliance Development trust
Equal Ground
Saradha de Seram
P. Saravanamuttu
Service Civil International
Tony Senevirathna
Visaka Dharmadasa
4 Comments
In the face of unbridled repression and misuse of power which the Elections Commissioner, Judiciary and Police have failed to control the unleashing of further violence during and after the election seems inevitable. Politics has become a dirty game to hang onto power.
The government in power has shown the way. What more can you expect but a total lawless situation. Shame on the current politicians......
The both candidates are Buddhists. So it is prime duty of 3 Mahanayaka Theros to advice specially the Government to see the law and order is protected well.As we have no any direct contact with the theros, if there is any one who can approach the theros , it is advisable to convey the message to Mahanayake.
Political leadership once used to be perceived as a noble act of service to the community has now eroded into a full time "profession" of amAssing wealth thanks to the racial minded monster of constitution created courtesy of JRJ. I call it racist because one of the real motivation that drove him to create it was the fact that on his landslide victory, to his consternation he found that the SLFP opposition was so small, TULF became the major opposition party of which a Tamil, Appapillai Amirthaligam became the leader. Vowing not to permit a Tamil Party become even the leading opposition party, let alone considering the devolution of power to them, he cleverly drafted this constitution enshrining the proportional representation clause. He also presumed that, based on the previous elections results where the UNP polled more votes in ceratin areas the totals of which always exceeded that of the main opposing parties and therfore with the new clause the UNP could not lose any election. That turned out to be a fallacy!
Thanks to his cunningness that earned him the nick-name '20th Century Fox' the constitution became the ultimate curse of the country. Now it has boiled down to a situation that no sane person with a genuine interst of the country in mind cannot even contemplate and come forward to serve his people. The preferential voting system took care of it. Gone with that the accountability to people who elected a member.
"Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise." - Francis Bacon
Gone are the days of honest, aducated, service minded, simple mannered even contemplating entering the arena. One has to be a crook, a liar, a thief or a drug runner, a thug - in short an ultimate criminal to venture into this system. Others cannot survive. It is now a high investment 'profession.'
The result is hooliganism, looting, killing, violation of all norms of law and order, scant respect for the judiciary, politicization of all government institution, amassing illegal wealth etc. etc.
As if this is not enough, the noble religion, Buddhism in particular has been politicized to such an extent some group of religious leaders are running riot trying to run corrupt governments rsorting to new explations for Buddha's teachings. However, it is heartening to note that the Mahanaykas have not lost it yet, but they are in a "catch22" situation.
"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious." - Aristotle
I believe this is one of the rare chances to redeem ourselves or make a change!