Editorial - Red Light for Government

30 March 2014 08:18 pm - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Shunned by the middle class and feted by the celebrity zealots the provincial polls on Saturday no doubt have gone to spoil the euphoric victory that the UPFA was planning to observe.
Given the zest and zeal with which the urban and suburban voters have triggered a surge for the opposition- UNP, DP and the JVP despite their consecutive poll setbacks, is only indicative of a part of the frustration.
The other is the absenteeism.

"If one is to go by the government's argument for Geneva - that absentee vote is a vote cast against- then of course the voter turnout especially in Colombo is suggestive of a growing protest vote against the government"

If one is to go by the government argument for Geneva - that absentee vote is a vote cast against- then of course the voter turnout especially in Colombo is suggestive of a

growing protest vote against the government.
However in reality such a big absenteeism can be caused by multiple factors.
Disillusionment certainly is one. A sizeable percentage would have stayed at home as they do not have any favourites among any of the parties that contested polls.
Surely there would have been tens of thousands of those who would have wanted to vote against the government for its gross corruption and rising wave of political crimes but would not have been able to make up their mind due to the memory of war victory.

The poor voter turnout especially in Colombo also speaks of a coming-of-age of the middle class which has grown out of proportion over the years. This big chunk of voters is hardly bothered about the polls anymore and is unlikely to step out of their homes on a Saturday unless the poll is as crucial as a presidential or general election which can trigger a regime change. This is a global pattern especially in the middle income countries as well as in the developed.
This indifference by the middle class has made sure that the working class favourites and celebrities rank high in preferential lists over professionals.

More than the surge in the UNP which has shown a strong comeback especially in the minority-heavy Colombo city it is the rise of Sarath Fonseka’s Democratic Party that is likely to disturb the UPFA rank and file. This vote is comprised of more or less equal parts of disillusioned UPFA and UNP voters rather than any exclusive vote base forthe ex-General. Given the acrimonious fallout between the regime and the ex-commander, the UPFA leadership will always view Sarath Fonseka’s DP as a bigger threat than any other party.

The setback in Colombo has gone to undermine whatever the government has gained in the SLFP stronghold Gampaha. Besides, despite the giant development projects and expressways doled out to South the Southern voter too has moved to send a red signal to the government that development and democracy do not always go hand in hand. The antithesis of development and democracy is a theory proven over and over again in the south as well as east-Asian nations.

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 - 1

Kalu Banda Monday, 31 March 2014 11:33 AM

I hope your sister paper the Lanka deepa will also carry this piece. The sinhala readership needs to be educated.

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.

Editorial - Red Light for Government

"If one is to go by the government's argument for Geneva - that absentee vote is a vote cast against- then of course the voter turnout especially in Colombo is suggestive of a growing protest vote against the government"

Comments - 1

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

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’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

April 15 declared a government holiday

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win