Local Elections: Sri Lankan Government Develops Cold Feet
Sri Lanka’s government has recently developed cold feet when it comes to its plans to hold local elections. This has been due to a number of factors, including political instability, a lack of resources, and concerns over the security situation. The decision to postpone the polls has been met with criticism from civil society organisations, who have argued that local elections are essential for the country’s democratic development. The current government of Sri Lanka, which was formed in 2015, had promised to hold local elections in 2018. However, the government has since backtracked on this promise, citing a number of reasons. Firstly, the government has stated that the country is still in a state of political instability and that holding elections would be premature. This has been further complicated by a lack of resources, as the government has not been able to secure sufficient funds to facilitate the elections. Secondly, there have been security concerns raised by the government. It has argued that the current security situation in the country is not conducive to holding elections, as there is a risk of violence and instability. This has been further compounded by the fact that the Sri Lankan security forces are currently stretched thin due to their involvement in the ongoing fight against terrorism. Thirdly, there have been concerns raised by civil society organisations. These organisations have argued that local elections are essential for the country’s democratic development and that postponing the polls is a step backwards. They have also argued that the government should instead focus on strengthening the local government system and improving the capacity of local councils. Finally, there have been criticisms of the government’s decision to postpone the elections. Opposition parties have argued that the government is using the issue of security as an excuse to avoid holding elections and have called for the polls to be held as soon as possible. They have also argued that the government should ensure that the necessary resources are made available to facilitate the holding of local elections. Overall, the Sri Lankan government’s decision to postpone local elections has been met with criticism from civil society organisations and opposition parties. The government has cited a range of reasons for its decision, including political instability, a lack of resources, and security concerns. However, these criticisms have raised questions about the government’s commitment to strengthening the local government system and facilitating democratic development in the country.
Political Instability
Political instability has been one of the main factors cited by the Sri Lankan government for postponing local elections. The current government was formed in 2015, after a period of over two decades of civil war. Since then, the country has been struggling to deal with the legacy of the conflict, as well as a fragile political system. This has been further compounded by the fact that the current government is a coalition government and that there are deep divisions within the political parties. The government has argued that the current political situation in the country is not conducive for holding elections. This has been further complicated by the fact that the country’s constitution does not provide for the holding of local elections. As a result, the government has argued that any attempt to hold local elections would be premature and could potentially lead to further instability.
Lack of Resources
The Sri Lankan government has also argued that it does not have the necessary resources to facilitate the holding of local elections. This has been due to a number of factors, including a lack of funds and a shortage of personnel. The government has argued that it does not have the funds necessary to cover the costs associated with holding elections, such as the printing of ballots and the training of election officials. Furthermore, the government has argued that it does not have the personnel necessary to facilitate the elections. This has been due to the fact that the country’s electoral commission, which is responsible for overseeing elections, is severely understaffed. As a result, the government has argued that it would not be able to ensure the proper conduct of local elections.
Security Concerns
Security concerns have also been raised by the government in relation to the holding of local elections. The government has argued that the current security situation in the country is not conducive for holding elections, as there is a risk of violence and instability. This has been due to the fact that the Sri Lankan security forces are currently engaged in the fight against terrorism, which has put a strain on their resources. Furthermore, there have been reports of intimidation and violence being used against opposition candidates in the lead up to the elections. This has raised concerns that the security situation in the country is not conducive for holding elections. As a result, the government has argued that it would be better to postpone the polls until the security situation has improved.
Civil Society Criticisms
Civil society organisations have been critical of the government’s decision to postpone the local elections. These organisations have argued that local elections are essential for the country’s democratic development and that the government should ensure that the necessary resources are made available to facilitate the polls. They have also argued that the government should focus on strengthening the local government system and improving the capacity of local councils. Moreover, these organisations have argued that the government is using the issue of security as an excuse to avoid holding elections. They have argued that the government should instead focus on tackling the security issues and ensuring that the necessary resources are made available to facilitate the polls. Furthermore, they have argued that the government should ensure that the elections are free and fair and that the necessary measures are taken to prevent any form of intimidation and violence against opposition candidates.
Opposition Criticisms
Opposition parties have also been critical of the government’s decision to postpone the local elections. These parties have argued that the government is using the issue of security as an excuse to avoid holding elections and have called for the polls to be held as soon as possible. They have argued that the government should ensure that the necessary resources are made available to facilitate the polls and that the elections should be held in a free and fair manner. Furthermore, these parties have argued that the government should ensure that the necessary measures are taken to ensure the security of opposition candidates. They have also argued that the government should take steps to ensure that the elections are conducted in an impartial manner and that the results are accepted by all sides.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sri Lankan government’s decision to postpone local elections has been met with criticism from civil society organisations and opposition parties. The government has cited a range of reasons for its decision, including political instability, a lack of resources, and security concerns. However, these criticisms have raised questions about the government’s commitment to strengthening the local government system and facilitating democratic development in the country.
