clean politics needs clean candidacy - EDITORIAL

30 June 2015 03:12 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The campaign for the clean candidacy for the forthcoming Parliamentary election is gaining momentum now that the Parliamentary elections have been announced by the Elections Commissioner on June 26. The oldest local election Watchdog, the People’s Movement for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) in collaboration with several other civil society organizations has launched this campaign, under the name of “March 12 Movement.”

The movement has laid down eight fundamental criteria for candidates aspiring to contest Parliamentary, Provincial Council and Local Government elections. A declaration by the very name, “March 12 Declaration” was signed by leaders of almost all political parties confirming their support for the criteria on March 12 this year, and PAFFREL has launched a signature campaign around the country to raise awareness and commitment among the masses on the need for clean politics through clean candidacy.

Despite many leaders, including President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe having placed their signatures on the ‘March 12 Declaration’ it is no doubt that no political party in the country except for one or two is candid in this respect, given their track record in dealing with public affairs. On the other hand, the practicability of the declaration seems to be extremely remote owing to its very nature.

For instance, the declaration requires the political parties not to give nominations to those who have involved in corrupt practices. This is important and essential. However, how can a prospective candidate of a political party be decided to be a corrupt person? And who is going to decide it?

Can one object to President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision, if he did, to give nomination to former Minister Mervyn Silva who had never violated fundamental rights of anyone in the eyes of the law, despite the whole country having watched him ordering a public officer to be tied to a tree in public? Interestingly he was exonerated from the allegation by none other than President Sirisena in his capacity as the then Chairman of the SLFP disciplinary committee.

Can the President, as the leader of the SLFP deny nominations to the former parliamentarian whose name had been mentioned by Wele Suda as one of those who had benefitted by his drug trafficking, irrespective of the parliamentarian not having been found guilty by a Court of law? The President would have to give nomination even to the person who was behind the arson attack on one of his election stages during the last Presidential election, if the latter met other requirements.

There are politicians who had been accused of involving in forging passports, declaring in public that they allowed the others to engage in corrupt practices and some have already been questioned by the CID and the FCID. Some have been accused of ruining State enterprises with ulterior motives. But ironically they could be given nominations, since they are still innocent before the law.

If any one of these politicians is found guilty for any crime, corruption or vice, the law itself would prevent him/her from contesting elections and there won’t be any role for a code of conduct, such as the ‘March 12 Declaration’. However, voters can decide on the fate of these corrupt politicians if they are well enlightened. Hence, the PAFFREL has to give more weight to its public campaign and the fruits of which could be realized at least to some extent at future elections.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

clean politics needs clean candidacy - EDITORIAL

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

New Visa procedure implemented

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations