“They Did Not Want To Vote”
By Raisa Wickrematunge And Cassandra Mascarenhas
Voting did not seem like a fruitful exercise for many
The voter turnout at the recently concluded general election was at its lowest — at around 50%. A significant percentage of people simply did not exercise their right to vote. What was the reasoning behind this inaction? The Sunday Leader spoke to a few people to find out.
Devumi, a business executive, said she had not been able to exercise her right to vote because she and her brother had been removed from the voting list. “We were in Australia last year and our names were removed from the lis because we were abroad.” However she added that, “even if I did have a vote, I wouldn’t have known who to vote for.”
Overslept
Dilini, a marketing and promotions manager, said she had had every intention of voting but had overslept on Election Day. “I had no real motivation for going out and voting,” she said.
Apathy appeared to have spread amongst the Tamils as well. Ganesan, a student at SLIIT, said, “I didn’t vote because I have no faith in the system. Even if I had voted, there is no point. Nothing is going to change.” His friend Dinesh said he was simply confused and did not know who to vote for, as he had given up on the electoral system.
Suresh, a Tamil businessman, echoed his sentiments thus:t “I didn’t see the point in voting. The electoral system is crooked. As long as that situation prevails, as long as there is rampant corruption, nothing will change.”
Randy, a layout artist cum typesetter, said simply, “I don’t want to vote for a bunch of goons.”
Accountant S. Perera claimed that election rigging kept him from voting: “Some candidates of one party claim that counting was not fair. Chandana Kathriarachchi who contested in the Colombo District said on first count he had won but once they had counted for the third time Lokuge was in and he was out. I predicted something like this happening and therefore did not vote, as the person of our choice would not have stood a chance anyway. Another example is Geetha Kumarasinghe and Nishantha Muththuhettigama.”
Worth
Joe, a student said, “There is no point using my vote. It’s not going to bring about any real change. Besides, there is no one worth voting for.”
Another young student, Shehani, said, “What’s the point in voting anymore? Politics in this country has become so predictable, like a chick flick. There is nothing democratic about the whole process. It’s also unfair that the Department of Elections decided to go with the 2008 voters list because many of the youth who are of proper age and should be eligible to vote did not get a chance to exercise their right to do so.” Sandra, an office manager, said “I am not happy with the current political scenario. The UPFA was going to win anyway. So what’s the point in voting?”
“I don’t believe in voting as a whole.” Dilip, a university professor, said, “The state of democracy in this country is a farce. Basically, whichever party is better at stuffing ballot boxes and stealing votes will win. So there is no point in voting.” A bank teller, Neranjan, simply shrugged his shoulders and said, “What for? The result is already known anyway.”
Clear-cut
That statement was echoed by the Programme Coordinator for the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, (ICES) Lahiru. “I had a friend down from overseas, so we had a trip planned on Election Day. Honestly it was clear-cut that the UPFA was going to win, so I didn’t see a point in voting.” His friend Kanishka agreed, saying, “It was a foregone conclusion.”
Although a general sense of disillusionment kept many away from the polls, a strong work ethic prevented some from going out to vote.
Take Ravi, a businessman at a top company who said he was stuck in office on Election Day and had no time to vote. Sudantha, a lorry driver, said as he had decided to take leave from work for the Sinhala New Year holidays, he was unable to take leave in order to travel to his home village and vote. However, he too said there was “no point” in making the trip to vote. Rani, a cook, also said she had been unable to take the leave necessary to allow her to travel home and vote.
There were some who simply did not register to vote in time. Renuka, a business owner, did not. Although the pressures of her work and lack of time was a factor, Renuka added that she was “completely fed up of politics in this country. It’s a dirty game. There is no clean, honest person I can vote for. So why should I waste my time?”
Violations
“I chose not to vote this time because many of the politicians who contesting are rogues!” said Tanuja, a housewife. She added, “Just look at all the violations that were committed in j their elections campaigns alone – what does that say about what they will do if they are elected into Parliament? Because of that it was obvious that it was not going to be a fair election so I did not see the point of voting for a bunch of cheats.”
A general mood of helplessness seems to have pervaded the country and kept many people from the polling centres. Overwhelmingly, the majority of the people interviewed simply saw no point in voting. Many saw the results as already set in stone. Perhaps the many staggered elections recently held also contributed to this phenomenon. Whatever the reason, many of the people The Sunday Leader spoke to appeared dissatisfied and disillusioned. Fewer fire-crackers lit the streets and there were fewer celebratory parades this April.
Tamils had no one to vote for as the sinhalese are occupying their traditional homelands, killing their sons and daughters or torture them at Boosa Camp.
Tamil diaspora did vote, 99% for an independent Tamil Eelam!!!
They did not vote, because democracy is just a charade.
Democracy was shoved down our throat by our colonial masters and now everyone dances to the democratic tune.
Our great kings which we are proud of, did not have democracy!
Religions have no democracy ! For that matter architects of major religions have the same pedigree or lineage.
So what peoples power you are talking about?
Despite having a democracy, the credibility of the political system is in shaters as highlighted by above comments.
How can the voters have any faith when-
1. The vast majority of politicos are there only to serve themselves and their henchman.
2. When the systems are too weak so that politicos could even get away with murder.
3. No constitution councils appointed so that workers, citizens can not get justice against political crooks
4. When known thugs, criminals are given ministerships
5. When the politiciens are given a free hand to plunder the country. People see them detached, living in absolute mansions, luxury cars etc etc
6.When politiciens spend even Rs 300 million on election campaign when their total income during the term would be less than 1/100th of that !
7. When voters can never be sure of a proper election process and a result
8. When politiciens can just be bought over for money and lust for positions, abandoning their party, policies and voters
9. When decent, honourable, professionals etc do usaully do not have any place in the political map
10. Politicians appear always above the law or they are a law to themselves
11. Due to the current propotional representation, politiciens do not have to show a service to their electorate to get re-elected.
12. When they are even prepared to kill opponents to win, because the future of their generation, henchman depends on them winning!
Mr President, show your maturity by being a clean politicien and cleaning the rest of the system!
Crafted One Horse Race !
It was all a one man race by design. With all democratic watchdogs immobilized – No Constitutional Council; No Press Council etc. It was all Emperor Mahinda & Brothers galore !
People get a government that they deserve.
But do Sri Lankans deserve this bunch of goons as their rulers ? What a pity !
Tamils have nothing to vote for, Sinhalease did not vote because if you count the number of people who did not vote for Mahinda &co (# of people who did not vote + # of people who voted for opposition) it will be more than what Mahinda and Co got. In a violent situation where opposition people like Sarath could be in jail facing charges, not voting to show opposition is a good choice.
Now we have Mahinda Uncle as our King
Basil Uncle as are duputy king
Narmal as our little prince
Gota Uncle as our worrior hero
We are set for generations to be ruled by the Rajapakse family.
-This is what all Srilankans want, and who cares about the poor.
Long live the king!!
Not voting if you are disgruntled by the current situation is equivelant to voting for the goons in power. It is an unforgivable crime. Since you unwittingly let the very ones you are disgruntled with enjoy more power.
As for those who did not vote for the UNP because they think Ranil is hanging on to power. This lot are the most stupid of all. You weaken the very opposition that stands in the way of absolute power. Way to go modayas. Now deal with the consequences.
Sri Lanka always deverved what it got every missed opportunity right from independance. Democracy and universal suffrage has done more harm than good to this blighted country.
It is very sad and sorry to hear Mahinda`s already arranged developments those are presently standstill as no “Funds” as well as no any country is willing to give helping hand, appreciation and recognition” to Srilanka, accordance to the today`s Srilankan`s political situation. Only some of the Srilankans living in Srilanka recognize MR as the architect destroyed Terrorism in Srilanaka and made the country “No Bomb Zone” and legally selected President and the last” Elections ” were conducted legally. Outer world believe different way , mostly that Srilanka is a country has no “Law” , no” Human rights “and no “Democracy”. But we cannot just accept that issues completely, because if we look back of Srilankan Terrorism and political field we have to highlight Mahinda Rajapaksa is the “Only President” in Srilankan history bravely declared a “Weaponry Solution” instead of foolish “Peace Talks” as the solution for this”Crazy Elam” and openly challenged the world most dangerous terrorist group who killed a “President” and a “Priminister” during their control in Srilanka .On account of this, unfortunately, MR `s reputation and recognition is limited to Srilanka only, and as still the world never forget his mishandling of “Tsunami Donations to his own family use” and his “Educational Qualifications and Grades”, in the other words he lost the world “Trustworthiness” and he has not yet earned any “Credit” for his reputation by significant results of his short period as the “President”, comparing to Junious Richard Jyawardana(Mahaweli 30 years Project concluded with in 5 years) gained. But General Fonseka became world famous and honored , qualified and recognized, nationally and internationally,by the Military Universities in the world , especially Australia, U.S.A., U.K, Philippines, Israel,Pakistan,Canada,Germany,Japan,Singapore, and even Korea,after the defeat of LTTE, and he became the first General in the world who wipe out “Terrorism by Bullet” and his reputation he earned made him honored by the all ‘Democratic’ countries all over the world.Those are the credentials both parties have. We have to accept and agree that both parties made mistakes in their careers and those are very harm full to the progress of an “Undeveloped” country like Srilanka, but there is an understanding of the world “Man who works only make mistakes , but Man never work never makes a single mistake”, and we have enough examples in Srilanka, just we look back former president Chandrika`s administration .We can describe it as a “Dumb Period” of Srilanka , that is what is happening when ill experience people try to command a developing country. In 1970 Srilanka face the same problem when “SLFP ” selected a “House Wife” Sirima Bandaranayaka and her family members and “Yes Madam Group” including “Double Doctor” well known as ” No Money “. Perera (N.M.) and his best friend Felix.R. Dias. Bandaranayaka (once he said” I am the Law” ) which gave the foundation to the first Srilankan terrorism called as “Cheguwera Kalliya” which destroyed more than 25000 of young youth lives and pulling back the country for two three decades.Today most of the people do not know those “Gloomy Periods in ” Srilanka had when it hand over to the “Power Greedy” ill experienced politicians. It is not only a forecast but also was proved by results that this “Presidential System ” is not suitable to a country like Srilanka mainly which cannot bear up the heavy cost for two elections at a time as well as some “Voters” in the rural areas in Srilanka do not know the value of the “Ballot” and because of their ignorance or bad understanding of the “Country`s Economy and situation” they become victims of “Power Hungry” cunning “Un Qualified” politicians and contributing their valuable “Ballot” to make the country to the “Hell”.This can say as “Cheating to Voters”. As our country “Free Education” is in the very ‘Young” age most of the villagers are not educated enough to find out the the future of the country or still they follow up “Colonial” foolish “Yes Sir ” method and , it is very easy for “Cunning Politicians” to manipulate “Village Voters” to keep the “Power” from “Father to Son” or little bit more to the brothers and sisters in the other words, whole family for decades and decades. It is a shame when foreigners are ques toning “Why your country citizens allowing those thugs to come to power” how can we say our citizens are not educated enough to understand the value of “Ballot”? . It is very clearly we can see the results of the last two elections, mostly “Undeveloped” areas of “Srilanka” highly “Voted” to” badly corrupted politicians” in the “Srilankan Parliament”.Hambantota, Monaragala, and Badulla districts are very good examples.
Next stage we can see analyzing the past election results ,it is very clear most of the people did not “Vote” for any party as they do not trust this “Election System”. In accordance to the statistics forwarded by the election department proved only fifty three percent of the registered voters only casted their votes.Therefor we cannot logically accept “Srilanka” selected the correct people for the “Next Parliament” because fourty three percent of the citizens already very clearly rejected the “Winner Party” and when we add the “Loosers” side the percentage already unhappy with the “WinnerParty” it is very clear “Loosing Party” is the “People`s Choice”, on the other hand any body can see majority of the registered voters of “Srilanka” do not accepting this “WinnerParty”,because “Democracy” means not one man`s choice or one group`s choice, but more people`s choice.
Another question we can see in this election was , to cast the Ballot people should have to have Peace of mind, forcibly,thuggery,or making people get excite by showing the party leaders “Power” by any way we cannot agree it is a “Peacefull” election. When a country declared “Emergency (Hadisinithiya)” automatically normal law of the country getting crippled and Police and Military laws come to power. Usually to the Emergency Law people have to bend to the Police and the Military command by the “Commander in Chief”.Next question is “Who is the commander in chief”, it is the”President”. If President is the “Commander in Chief “and If he is the “Leader of a contesting party” how can we expect a “Fair and Free” election?. I believe this is the biggest “Joke” in Srilankan Politics. Always “President” is very comfortable with his or her own party Parliament. We can see that very clearly Chandrika Bandaranayaka and Ranil Wickramasinha combination. When we consider all of those incidents we have to come to a conclusion that “President” and “Parliamentary” system is not suitable to a country like Srilanka, and it makes “Injustice” “Corruption” “Unfair” and make uneasiness among the citizens and it makes divided country and a divided nation.
Now I like to raise up another serious mistake we noticed in the past elections. I believe this is the first time in Srilankan Election Department`s history the department heavily manipulated the counting centers by the computers. I have one question “Is Srilankan Election Department completely computerized and Election Commissioner is a certified computer operator or not” ?. I believe it is not. Then who were the organization or group conducted the “Election Results” and ,at the beginning of the election ,did Election Commissioner declared the process of how he would be handling this election to the “Party Leaders. My next question is “Does Srilankan government has it`s own “Central Government Computer System” that can be view by” Internationally”.I believe not. If not we have to come to a conclusion that this elections results were handled by unauthorized organization or a group. If election commissioner is not knowing the computers and he is relying on a third party, how can he certified the results and how can citizens can accept the results.?
There is another issue to the “Ballot Boxes” . all over the world including Ethiopia and Afghanistan who are conducting manual “Voting” system it is very clear one side of the “Ballot Box” is covered with a transparent plastic board, but Srilanka only have “Fully Covered” wooden boxes that no one can see if at the beginning of the “Pole’ whether box is empty and the ending of the “Pole” how much the box was completed with ballot papers.Those are the golden chances giving to ” Cunning Politicians” to get the big majority of “Votes”.I cannot understand why “Srilankan Opposition Party” just behaving like a “Montessori Kid” not thinking about their responsibility in a election , and it reflects either “Opposition” has no “Leadership” or not happy with the “Leadership”.
You are 1005 correct. the elction is a big joke!
Good work Citizen Hambantota, some good points for our Modayas
to think.