Proposed changes to electoral system – sincere effort or ploy - EDITORIAL

In the Middle East earth-shaking events are unfolding. Israel seems bent on getting rid of the Palestinians. In the early 20th century a little man with a small moustache – Adolf Hitler - made every effort to kill off Europe’s Jews. We know how he implemented a genocidal plan to exterminate the Jewish race. He blamed them for the ills Germany was facing.

In today’s context,government of the Jewish people - the then victims - are today committing mass murder of Palestinians and meting out collective punishment on them.
Killing of civilians whether they be Jews, Palestinians or any other peoples, especially if they are targeted killings are war crimes and stand condemned.

Back here at home, on 12 October – Daily Mirror made another shocking revelation… the Executive Presidential system could be abolished before anticipated polls next year.
Many ordinary citizens may/will probably be cheering in delight. However, is there a twist to this tale? Many are wondering as to what this holds for the nation. 

Not too long ago the holding of two sets of elections – Provincial and Local government - elections were postponed indefinitely claiming the country did not have sufficient cash to hold the elections.
Now it has suddenly been reported, President Wickremesinghe and the Justice Minister have already held discussions regarding such a change, and the Minister is reportedly drafting a cabinet paper to change the electoral system from an executive presidency to one with an executive prime minister.
A number of questions arise. 

Does,the leadership of the various political parties in parliament who have a possibility of winning a presidential election, really want to do  away with the system of the Executive Presidency? 

Again, none of the former presidential candidates – including Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga -- who promised to do just that, during various election campaigns never implemented that pledge once they came into power.
Will the present leaders agree to this change now? Especially if they feel, they are on the brink of victory.
It has also been suggested that none of the main candidates (in a presidential election) has the capacity to cross the constitutionally required threshold of 50+1.

Again, the proposed shift away from the Executive Presidency indicates a need to make changes in the Constitution and will need to be passed with a two-thirds majority in parliament. After the holding of a countrywide referendum.

Do we have the funds for this?
Up to this time, even though President Wickremesinghe was not elected to the office of president by a popular people’s mandate, he has kept the promises he made to the people at the time he became president.  He has negotiated successfully with the IMF and creditor nations for restructuring our international debt. 

Under his presidency, the fuel shortages and long and winding queues at fuel distribution points have vanished.To many of our countrymen and women those days are now no more than a bad dream. Basic food supplies though available, are still beyond the affordability of a majority of the population. Nevertheless, they are now available.
The Health sector continues to be in a mess.Various medical drugs remain in short supply or are not available. The Health Ministry is accused of being a den of corruption. However, it needs be added a motion of no confidence against the relevant Minister was defeated in parliament!

The president has sadly not been able to successfully tackle the problem of corruption in the country. Even bodies like the IMF on whose goodwill we depend to get our country bailed out of its bankruptcy have raised the issue. But corruption continues unabated. 

Ordinary citizens are also questioning whether the proposed change from an executive presidential system to that of an executive premier; the length of time involved in making such a possibility practicable, is a ploy to postpone elections once more. Many feel it’s a trick for corrupt persons to remain in positions of power and authority.
The holding of timely elections is a people’s fundamental Constitutional right. Using different excuses to postpone elections will not fool the people all the time.  Let us not forget, the postponing of elections under the presidency of late President Jayawardene led to an insurgency, weakening of democratic institutions and loss of life.