Local Government Elections: A Call for Nonpartisanship and Grassroots Representation

In the midst of presidential and general elections, local government elections in Sri Lanka often take a backseat, with voters focused on national issues and the parties in power. However, local government elections are about more than just national politics; they are about addressing the specific needs and concerns of local communities. The recent 6 May Local Government election saw a drop in voter turnout, with only 60% of the 17.14 million electorate casting their ballots. Despite this, the election resulted in many local bodies requiring coalitions of parties and independents to govern, restoring a welcome degree of democracy.

Key Takeaways:

• Local government elections in Sri Lanka are often overshadowed by national elections, with voters focusing on the bigger picture rather than local issues.
• The results of the 6 May Local Government election, which saw a drop in voter turnout, have been interpreted as a misstep for the governing party, the NPP, which campaigned on the strength of its previous national election successes.
• The drop in voter turnout may be attributed to voter fatigue, but it also highlights the need for local government elections to focus on grassroots representation and issues.
• The staging of local government elections precedes a national general election may be necessary to ensure that local voices are heard and represented.
• Local government entities should be nonpartisan, with elections focused on operational issues that impact people at the local level rather than national policy formulation.
• The review of existing accountability policies and processes is necessary to strengthen them and hold local government entity expenditure accountable to the people.
• Legislation should provide for enforcing strict punishment for those found guilty of violation of the law and misappropriation of funds.

Statistics:

• Only 60% of the 17.14 million electorate turned out to vote in the 6 May Local Government election, down from nearly 70% in the November General election and 80% in the September Presidential vote.
• Many local bodies required coalitions of parties and independents to govern after the election.
• Several local government entities have been accused of waste, bribery, and corruption.

Sources:

• https://www.cmfgroup.com/blog/healthcare-professionals/sometimes-we-cannot-see-the-forest-for-the-trees/#:~:text=This%20catchy%20phrase%20originated%20as,the%20situation%20as%20a%20whole)
• John Heywood's works, circa 1546.