As a small and democratic country, we should be able to exhibit the simplicity, rationality,
accuracy, transparency and credibility of our electoral process as a model to the world at large
rather than copying complex and irrelevant systems from abroad –
1.0 Preface
At the outset, the writer as a sovereign voter for 57 years, wishes to thank the author of the
captioned article for creating a press window to vent an alternate perspective on ‘electoral
reforms’ in Sri Lanka.
Geographically and politically, Sri Lanka is a small democracy with a long and proud history
marred by foreign invasions leading to the present multi-ethnic/cultural/religious nature of our
population. However, even after 73 years of independence it has failed to introduce a ‘voterfriendly’ electoral system of its own anvil for its sovereign voters and the country. As a result,
we are yet to be blessed with educated, genuine and truly patriotic ‘political professionals’ who
can both develop and govern the country as our honourable and effective representatives.
With a population of around 22 million, we had over 16.26 million registered sovereign voters at
the most successful 2020 General Election, but according to the results only 71.3% of those
voters had shown a candid interest to cast a valid ballot. Besides, the basis on which some of
those who cast valid votes too appear to be irrational due to their devoted/blind inclinations
towards personalities over the more important ‘Election manifestos’ which unfortunately have
been set aside by the voters due to whimsical and false promises.
It is quite evident that, voter passivity was due to lack of proper knowledge of the complex
electoral system and the poor quality of politicians being produced to date. In such a backdrop,
the writer was hard pressed to formulate a democratically simple, transparent, rational and a costeffective general election methodology fully focused on achieving its following primary and
secondary objectives that can be easily understood both by our simple voters and the politicians
as enumerated in the ensuing paragraphs.
Primary objective: To select and install the most suitable and transparent election methodology
that can easily be understood by average ‘Sri Lankans’ to produce accurate and rational results.
The Selection of such suitable Election methodology was based on,
i) A succinct comparison between the ‘First-Past-the Post’ (FPP) system and the current
unrefined ‘Proportionate Representation’ (PR) system using cogent dialogues and
justifications by academics/experts, politicians and sovereign voters including the writer
appearing in the media from time to time.
ii) An analysis of the 2020 Election results as per the given table which provides empirical
evidence to amply justify a refined PR system. Therefore, readers are urged to scrutinise
this table with an open mind to appreciate the refinements needed to the basis to which PR
arithmetic has to be applied to ensure accuracy in seat allocation by adducing ‘equal
value’ for each valid vote in keeping with the UN Human Rights Convention of 1948.
iii) A critique of the ‘New mixed voting system’ as per 2.0.
(The proposed procedure is stated under 3.3.)
Secondary objective: To ensure selection and election of suitable ‘political professionals’
without asking voters to elect mythical ‘horses’ from lists of proverbial ‘donkeys’ (not all!)
hitherto selected according to corrupt and adhoc criteria of different party hierarchies. In such
context, we cannot forget that the people wanted all 225 MPs to evaporate from the Parliament