Voter Apathy—A Dangerous Trend

By Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratne

The recently concluded election, which mind you was a General Election which generally generates enthusiastic activity and interest; saw the lowest voter turn out ever. It is worthwhile delving into the reasons as to why this was so; as this can lead to disastrous consequences. Earlier on, a general election was the only election held; apart from those for local elections and supporters of all parties campaigned for the candidates under the then electoral system in a spirit of friendly and healthy rivalry. Why has this spirit changed to one of thuggery, intimidation and violence sometimes leading even to murder?

Change

I recall the late Lalith Athulathmudali and the late Gamini Dissanaike, as being in the forefront of those who advocated a change of system to the late President Jayewardene, and urged him into doing it. At that stage; in a discussion with Lalith on the subject, I told him that all these changes leading to so many elections, with so many wielding power in Provincial Councils and in Parliament plus the Presidential system and the preferential vote would never suit our country and that I was totally against all these changes. My opinion was that people would tire of so many elections and that a country like ours couldn’t afford the cost of so many elections either. He tried to convert me to his point of view, but couldn’t and we agreed amicably; to disagree on the subject as in a democracy, we were all entitled to our views and to voicing them.

Disgusted

These, among others, are the reasons for the recent apathy of voters. The other reasons include people being sick and disgusted of seeing their towns and villages being plastered with cut outs and posters of so many candidates of all hues. Some friends visiting from abroad traveling through the once beautiful tea estates in Uva, were horrified to see the beauty of the landscape of estate roads marred by the name, number and pictures of one particular powerful government candidate even painted on white stones and trees all over the area.. The violence and intimidation of supporters, caused by the preferential vote is another reason for the prevailing apathy. This has caused untold suffering to both candidates and supporters. Homes are destroyed and stoned, character assassination is at its height and even lives are not safe. The recent violence and intimidation in Nawalapitiya leading to cancellation of the election could have been avoided if the culprit was severely punished and his authority including armed security taken away from him for similar offences at earlier elections. But as intimidation and thuggery were then only against the opposition so nothing was done. This time his actions have affected those in his own party as well.. It is useless commisserating with victims of violence and their families and offering help unless the perpetrators are taken severely to task. This system requires large amounts of money; if one has been an honest politician this kind of money is impossible to find and candidates sometimes become corrupt in their urge to find the required funds.. With the earlier electoral system based on the British model, political parties were much more united, candidates would campaign for each other and reach out to help each other. Today there is no such unity even among those of the same political hue because of the mad scramble for the manape With rivalry between candidates of the same party and those of opposing parties, violence has grown steadily worse by leaps and bounds. Still another reason is the blatant violation of election laws by those in power. The police are blatantly one sided; afraid of taking action in case they are transferred to the back of beyond; or are stooges kept where they are to harass the opposition candidates. Even on the day before the election I saw for myself ten vans with a picture of a government candidate parked along a prominent road in Colombo. On election day, as I came out of the polling booth, a van with a picture of another government candidate was parked outside the booth with only a driver in it.

Promoting

State media went on promoting government candidates and slinging mud at leading opposition politicians right up to election day. In these circumstances, the Election Commissioner was powerless and next to useless. Many government politicians went on openly feeding the five thousand day after day flagrantly breaking the law. Still another reason is that people feel that they vote one way and that when the result comes, it is not what they voted for. This leads to constant suspicion, accusations of injustice, manipulation of the vote and foul play.

I am an UNPer born and bred; will never change my political affiliation and have used my vote at every election ever since I was entitled to vote. But, I must confess that I too, felt rather apathetic this time and sometimes wonder if I would have voted if Ranil Wickremesinghe was not contesting at this election. At this stage of life, I don’t really know how many more tomorrows will be mine, so wanted to vote for him as it is highly probable that I may be pushing up the daisies before the next general election!.

In a conversation with the late President Jayewardene, after he ceased to be President, my late husband, my son and I told him of our fears about this system and the evil that could emanate from it. He agreed and said that he now felt he had made a mistake. But at what a cost!

Differences

I think it is time that all party leaders, forgot their differences even temporarily and put their heads together to change this horrific political culture that has evolved from all this. One idea is to nominate candidates with at least a basic university degree. Education ensures certain patterns of behaviour including respect, courtesy, refraining from violence and the use of foul language. It is time for a change. This must be done for the sake of the country and its future.  There is a deep seated fear psychosis among people. They fear that democracy has died; people are frightened to talk, to write and now; even to vote.

This seems to me to foretell danger; changes must be made now before it is too late and before the forces beneath the slumbering volcano we are on erupt; splintering our whole way of life into smithereens.