Introduction
This small paper evaluate our electoral systems , present propostational representation system [1] and our old first post the pass system and it’s branches ( bonus seats, cut off point, national list ) and the significant concepts , reservation of parliament seats and anti-defection . According to heading I show what is the bogey or assets of every part and give my opinions to modify or change these things.
Proportional representative system.
According to our present constitution [2] this system was introduced by former president J.R.Jayawardane . The former electoral( First pass the post ) system was abolish by constitution[3].But we look in 1978 J.R.Jayawardane had a reason to introduce Proportional representative system . Because United Nation Party have long term objectives so it needs a strong and sustainable executive system . Under this system any political party cannot get two third majority in parliament[4]. So they feel they were safe.
Under this system total number of parliament is 225[5].First 29 seats reserved for the persons who come under the National list mechanism . Other 36 persons were allocate for nine provinces equally (4*9=36) . After other 160 seats are divided between the electoral districts by the percentage of population .Under this electoral system a person (candidate ) cannot face the election alone .First he must join a political party or independent group and then only he participates the election . It leads to party politics .So the candidate cannot do anything without the party support .In this system voters first vote for a party then vote for three candidates in same party[6].
Under this system minorities have some protections to ensure their representative in parliament. Because Proportional representative system give an opportunity to show their unity in elections.
It have some good things, few wasted votes because it not agree the first person only . No need by-elections, facilititates absence voting , restrict growth of single party regions inclusiveness these are the main advantages of this system .
Weak geographic presentation, accountability issues[7],more power given to political parties , inability to throw a party out of power these are the disadvantages of this system.
This system helps to develop party political .Some parties incorporated with other parties to gain more seats in parliamentary elections . But after the elections it was a headache for government party because may be supportive parties went out from government. It makes a unsustainable political process in country. It is not a wealth situation in politics . Because according to this system particular political party or independent group has the power to control specific candidate without party, candidate cannot do anything . So it restrict an individual autonomy. It affects democracy. Nothing more.
Cut off points.
In our 1978th constitution said[8] that every recognized political party or independent group shall get more than 5% votes of the total polled votes in the particular electoral district. Otherwise the candidates of such political party or independent group’s votes are rejected in the vote counting . That means the party who fail to gain more than 5% votes it is disqualified to enter the parliament.\
This provision obliviously rejects the minorities aspiranasations . The good example 2010 parliamentary election. Only major four[9] parties. And around seven minority parties cannot get any seats in parliament . So we should reject this system because it act as a anti-minority equipment.
Bonus seat
Bonus seat system[10] only use to consolidate the major parities strength. In 1978 J.R.Jayawardena when wrote present constitution he wants more strength to his party in parliament[11] . This means a party who won more seats it will get more seats through this system .Therefore he introduced bonus seat system because that time United Nation Party had many seats in parliament, so he want to increase his party’s seats through bonus seat system. It is a different system to allocate seats in parliament to parties. But the significant thing is Swiss, France and Belgium which countries follows our same Proportional representative system but in that countries they haven’t this system like us. According to election results who got more votes that political party or independent group gain a seat more .
But in my opinion and recommendation to erase this bonus seat system. Because it is a anti democracy equipment. Every election in any country citizens (electors) should select their representatives directly . Why we allocate some seats and hiding from the voters. It is unnecessary . So we make a normal votes system to all seats in parliament.
Open list system
It is also a unwanted issue of our constitution .Because it creates inter conflicts between the same party candidates and it’s supporters. So we should follow closed list system and introduce against vote system that means every voter has two votes. One vote for select a party and candidate other vote for reject a party and it’s candidate . When counting the votes their hate votes minus against the total votes won by the specific party and candidate . So it is the best way to evaluate the candidate’s qualification among the public. Therefore only we give a chance to voter to express their against mind also., So we should introduce a closed list system with against vote facility.
Reintroducing First Pass The Post (FPTP) system
I am heavily disappointed this object. Since 1931 to 1977 our country had this polarity electoral system. This is fully British based model. At the time we cannot reject British influences in our country because we acted as a colony. After independence also we followed this system until it was changed by 1978th constitution.
According to this system whole country divided in electoral district by Delimitation commission .In the place delimitation commission act freely without any political pressure. But we know how long is this possible in practical movements . Executive power influences in this commission often because appointment, transfer and other significant factors controlled by executive to this commission . In the system electoral districts the important factor to determine a candidates victory .In a electoral district have majority of such people the supportive candidate won easily. So the significant thing is how to divide the electoral district . Delimitation commission act positive to majority , minorities cannot get any seats . The below demonstration illustrate this game clearly.
So First Pass The Post system act as a majority support equipment. Other disadvantage is this system it creates many wasted votes . Because different people vote to several candidates but one candidate who got higher votes he won. Other all votes are calculated as invaluable votes. The below illustration denotes that disadvantage.
| Candidate | Total votes |
| A | 30000 |
| B | 25000 |
| C | 18000 |
Therefore in this system 43000 votes count as invaluable votes. And won person got 41.095% votes only but he was rejected by 58.905% of voters. So this system did not reflect people’s wish . It also exclude minorities and women. Because our society is male dominated society . This system often needs by-elections. This make waste cost and hopeless of certainty to representation of parliament.
Now we know what is the First Pass The Post system and it’s branches . So we realize this system is not suit for our multi-ethnic country . We want a new electoral system that ensure all ethnic parties get approximately equal strength in legislature. It is a good way to cure inter-conflict within our country. This system was introduced by British in our colonial period . Now we have sovereignty to express our aspranations . So never wants to reintroduce this system . We create and use our own as soon as possible.
National list
When our 1978th constitution drawn that time a situation where the country left without enough decent , intelligent people at the levers of power. Therefore ,these constitution makers may have thought of interesting .The National list as a mechanism to bring at least a handful of decent men and women in to parliament.
Under this system 29 persons, who elected through national list [12]they appointed through their parties votes percentage. Calculate in whole country . When a political party or independent group participate in the election must be prepare a National list including 29 members. When all seats were divided then after any balance seat available, which party or independent group has most balance votes it will get the seat. The following demonstration will show how the parties get National seats[13]
| POLITICAL PARTY | PERCENTAGE OF VOTES | BONUS SEATS |
| UPLF | 60.33% | 17 |
| UNF | 29.34% | 9 |
| TNA | 2.9% | 1 |
| DNA | 5.49% | 2 |
But I think it is a very good system . Now there are enough and more decent , educated , intelligent and patriotic men and women who are willing to serve our country . But all they cannot come under the national list selection . Because other political supportive persons run faster than this people through national list .the example was , If they have enough background in political , they enter parliament through the back door . The appointment of Mervyn Silva to parliament is a case on point in 2004, the electors of Colombo to their credit, rejected him right royally at the 2004 parliamentary election but former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga made him a national list MP and president Mahinda Rajapakshea elevated him to a minister[14]. In the time candidates have more liability to their political bosses rather than electors. It is a big disadvantage for citizens.So we should make some restrictions to enter parliament through national list.
*We should introduce education qualifications (Degree holder or some other qualifications )
*Ask non-political background
*Expect professional qualifications from candidates .
*We must ensure that their work fiend is better and non-corruption person .
*Ensure he or she is a social service interested person or any activities to improve a society.
*All recommendations made by judiciary is best. Because nowadays judiciary works as a separate from other two governmental organizations . But in Srilanka I have a great dought judiciary can also run alone without executives pressures.
[1] 1978 constitution , Article 99
[2] Article 99
[3] Article 171 of 1978th constitution
[4] In 1978th constitution Article 99 , amended by 14th amendment on 1988-May 24
[6] 14th amendment 7. Article 99 (2)
[7] In this system voters elect more than one candidate so a specific candidate ignore his liability for the people
[8] 15th amendment 4(1)
[9] United people’s freedom alliance , United National Front, Tamil national Alliance and Democratic National Alliance.
[10] 14th amendment 7 Article 99(5)
[11] 140 seats – Neethimurasu 1999
[13] According to 2010 parliamentary elections
[14] Now also many voices heard against Marvyn Silva (27/04/2010)
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