First Past the Post system rejects rights of minorities: DPF

The Proportionate Representation (PR) system provides every minority to enjoy their democratic rights. But the proposed First Past the Post system rejects the rights of minorities and also minor parties which get five per cent of the votes or less, says the Democratic People’s Front (DPF).

In a media statement, the DPF General Secretary Dr. Nalliah Kumaraguruparan states that as a strong Buddhist leader the late J.R. Jayewardene brought the PR system for every minority to enjoy their democratic rights.

The news release in full:

Rather than making comments on the proposed Local Authorities Special Provisions Bill, the Democratic Peoples’ Front wishes to reiterate to whoever pretends that they never damage the minorities’ rights, to bring necessary changes to this bill in all issues affecting the minorities and minor parties, Dr. Kumaraguruparan, General Secretary of DPF and a Western Provincial Councilor reiterated.

We making adverse comments and they (the government) totally sidelining our views and going ahead with their own programme will never meet the ends. Tamil Ministers and Tamil Parliamentarians with the Government must point out the necessity of being highly democratic in safeguarding the minority interests.

The late strong Buddhist leader J.R. Jayawardane brought Proportionate Representation even for every minority to enjoy their democratic rights. But now the proposed First Past The Post system is rejecting the rights of minorities and also minor parties which get 5% and less, again with this FPTP the Government is proposing that an individual who possesses charisma cannot contest his own seat but has to seek a group and contest in all wards/electorates. Also Rs. 20,000 per person has been decided as a deposit, which is again a challenge to the democracy of a poorer person.

 In the North and the deep South, perhaps pan Sinhala or Tamil districts may not be affected by this. But in multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies like in Colombo, the minorities’ chances are narrowed down to win a seat only through 30% PR and more than 5% cut off. Obviously this will affect the minorities and minor parties. This amendment will turn towards a retardation of democracy from J.R.J’s chinthanaya.

Once this is passed and becomes an Act, there will be one or many district demarcation or delimitation committees. We reiterate that these committees must consist of able Tamil and Muslim personalities to look after the minority interests.

 Hence, the DPF reiterates to those who talk of sincere minority interests to review and amend, where ever necessary, the proposed amendment bill which affects the Tamils and Muslims, Dr. Kumaraguruparan, General Secretary of the Democratic Peoples’ Front & Western Provincial Council Member said.