DEMOCRACY PREVAILS ONLY WHEN MINORITY RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED: EC

Democracy doesn’t refer to the implementation of the majority viewpoint, but to the implementation of views held by the majority in such a manner that it wouldn’t prejudice the minority, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday at the Galle District Secretariat.

“We cannot call it democracy if the views of the majority are implemented at the cost of the minority viewpoint. Real democracy prevails only when minority rights are protected. The essence of true democracy is the franchise which should be carefully used. Elections should be carried out in a peaceful atmosphere without violating the franchise of the people. I request everyone to respect the views of others and to act as responsible citizens,” he said.