Grassroot level ‘system changes’ a must

Politicians and people must realise that the main objective of holding Local Government (LG) elections is not to test the popularity or unpopularity of their party but to elect genuine and honest individuals who can serve their Grama Niladhari Division (GND) . When the country is struggling to come out of a dire economic abyss, this unproductive election will surely add insult to injury!

Following are a few suggestions for grassroot level ‘system changes’ before LG elections are held.

■ Since the President has already given his assent to go ahead with the NMSJ proposal to establish people based non-political ‘Jana Sabhas’ (JS) at GND level, de-politicize Local Govt. elections forthwith.

■ At the next LG election allow each JS to nominate three (one male, one female and one youth below 35 years of age) candidates – honest and socially acceptable, so that the one garnering the highest no. of votes at each GND level will become the JS representative/facilitator taking up their recommendations/issues with LG authorities at DSD level.

■ To avoid unnecessary administrative bottlenecks, each District Secretary shall be empowered to conduct the election in his/her DSD in the presence of polling agents from the JS of the area.

■ The office bearers at ‘Pradeshiya Sabha’, Urban and Municipal council level can be elected by JS members by vote.

■ These facilitators will eventually graduate as proven Provincial Councillors and MPs by becoming members of political parties of their choice with a ‘country first’ attitude.

Bernard Fernando

Moratuwa