LG elections– missing the wood for the trees?

by DR. UPATISSA PETHIYAGODA

The electronic and print media are so full of Election Noise that we are in danger of missing the essence. When the Thirteenth Amendment that led to the establishment of Provincial Councils was adopted, enthusiasts hailed it as a triumph of decentralization, a resuscitation of the Traditional Gramarajya System, recognition of the principle of Subsidiarity and as a useful instrument of grooming for higher levels of Governance. Now, a quarter of a century along, the time is ripe to assess the degree to which these laudable goals have been met.

Sadly, the current Electoral Discourse is markedly deficient. Instead, the atmosphere is thick with trivialities – what are the party electoral symbols, who will align with whom, pre- or – post-election, who will cross-over and what Ministry will be created, how much is the going cost of Bribery, and such mundane trivialities which engulf us. No pause to question the major issues. For instance, what advantages have accrued from the electoral changes and whether divisive politics has relevance in local governance? What has been the return to investments from this costly exercise? These have remained astonishingly untouched. So much so that many may conclude their votes are useless, and so decide to remain aloof from a seemingly pointless and debased exercise. A low voter turnout may be the consequence of either view.

None have questioned whether what we really need is a "decentralization" (or devolution) of "responsibility" rather than of "power". Any who care to watch the "News Bulletins" on TV, cannot fail but be struck by the numerous tales of neglect of important amenities by local authorities, and the resulting need for private sector organizations to step into the breach. It may hopefully show that rural society can get by without Local Government intervention or a minimum of it. It is a salutary result that Private Sector Institutions, aided by individual generosity, can step in to galvanize beneficiary participation to fill the gap. It is no surprise that the massively expensive Local Government apparatus encounters public disdain.

Typical of our penchant for the irrelevant, there is obsession with the issue of alcohol sales and employment of women in liquor stores, while there is no evident interest in considering the issue of their 25% representation in nomination lists. It is obvious that the reckless increase in a single step is populist but stupid. Can one run before learning to walk? This necessary and important change to a healthy representation of women in the legislature should have been implemented in measured, progressive steps. The present irrational leap will only bring in a class of inadequately suited and uncommitted females, who will provide ample future ammunition for those opposed to the concept.

Seldom has an election been so complex and confusing – First Past the Post, Proportional Representation, gender issues and curtailment of canvassing gimmicks - all add to a very blurred picture for the voters – especially the more numerous and less sophisticated. Most distressing is the paradox of an exhortation to select the most suitable candidate, irrespective of Party. Not too easy with the cacophony of political meetings and non-availability of candidate lists! As far as I am concerned, the latter is treated as though it is confidential. I have seen none. Even if I had, in the absence of some kind of background information, pray how is am I expected to judge individual merit?. The election monitors have already discovered that a large number of those (promoted by their Party Leaders) either have a criminal record, or can be expected to acquire one.

Every evening, as I view the parade of insincerity, I am troubled by the sheer sadism – of a well fed, bloated podium, upon which gape the multitude of the hopeless and hopeful. Endless pontifications, and severe trivialization of all serious matters of governance, are a cruel travesty of a hapless citizenry. The harsh realities of rising costs, the incompetence in handling water, fertilizers, CKDU and Dengue are ignored in the delusions of promised rectitude and a distant Utopia. Is anyone concerned about the huge waste of time and resources expended on these exercises of futility? Is the maintenance of the futures of political parties or of the traitorous and self-centered incumbents thereof, any priorities of the people? The discourse on election platforms is overwhelmingly debilitating garbage, devoid of any useful essence.

With the impending elections, there is a torrent of switches of loyalty. Are these people ‘slow on the uptake’ or simply opportunists? These last minute defections are clearly motivated by self-interest or ingratitude. Having enjoyed the spoils of office for their entire tenancy, they will lead us to believe that this is bravery, rather than a betrayal. The term used commonly is "horse trading" – but as an incorrigible cynic declared – considering the quality and sterility of the traded commodities, it is better described as "mule trading".

Above the hollow spouting from election platforms, the ‘Political Analysts’ and ‘Political Scientists’ busily add to the cacophony. With ponderous profundity, they solemnly proclaim their analyses and predictions. It has been stated in a slightly different context that "………………….. .. spend 50% of their time predicting what will happen and the balance 50% explaining why what they predicted did not happen" . This about sums it up. Barometer of what is to come, as indicators for the future? Will coalitions continue? And such are largely disposable rubbish (to go into the "Perishable" bag of garbage). These are, at best, pleasant diversions for the idle or the pretended erudite.

An exhaustive account of the Local Government scenario figures in the article appearing in the last "Sunday Island"of 21 January, authored by Ms. Gnana Moonesinghe. The role of the elected member should be to facilitate the functioning of the State Services and Facilities within his/her area of representation. This must be facilitation, but without interference. This subtle distinction may escape many of the eventual representatives. The role of the Member in an orderly system,should be that of a benign supervisor of State institutional delivery of services to his constituents. For this purpose, the Political Party or affiliation is mostly irrelevancies; although one party has declared that they are aware of the proper role of Local Government. One wishes them well, in the expectation that they will honour their pledge.