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Local Polls in Batticaloa: How Significant?

The government of Sri Lanka, after clearing the eastern parts of the island (comprising the districts of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Amparai) from LTTE control, successfully conducted local elections in Batticaloa on 10 March 2008. Altogether, polls were held for nine councils and were significant for several reasons.

First, it was after 14 years that the people of Batticaloa had exercised their franchise for local councils. Polls were conducted despite reservations expressed by many civil society organizations on security grounds. The elections were relatively peaceful, but were neither free nor fair. Undue advantage was enjoyed by a particular group, the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP). The TMVP cadres were not disarmed during the campaigning and this added to the fear factor among the voters. Many saw the elections as a means to impart legitimacy on the yet to be disarmed group to carry on with its 'control of the East' under the garb of elected representatives. The government has to take note of this and try and address the armed component of the TMVP. Only then will the planned Provincial Council elections for the Eastern Province in May 2008 be taken seriously.

Second, the polls saw a militant group - the TMVP is a breakaway faction of the LTTE - transforming itself into a political party. The new party that contested under the'boat' symbol won eight out of nine councils and the important Batticaloa Municipal Council (BMC) in alliance with UPFA (United People's Freedom Alliance). However, despite various difficulties, other parties like Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Tamil groups like EPDP, PLOTE and EPRLF (Padmanaba) that contested collectively as an 'independent group' did not fare badly either. Out of a total of 101 seats in nine councils, the SLMC won seven and the 'independent group' 17. However, the boycott by major parties like the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the United National Party (UNP), did not give much legitimacy to the polls in terms of interest articulation. The legitimacy was also in question due to absence of nearly 50 per cent of the registered voters and about 10 per cent of the votes cast being invalid. The invalid votes were not seen as a sign of ignorance, but as a mark of protest.

Third, a woman - Padmini - emerged as the Mayor of Batticaloa by virtue of garnering the highest number of preferential votes. She has reiterated the main campaign slogan - 'economic development of the east' - as the principal focus of her administration. It will be good if all the nine newly elected bodies convert this poll phrase into a reality. Batticaloa district desperately requires development as much as peace. The island's poorest inhabit this district. The government in Colombo should entrust the local councils with enough resources to advance development. This is, however, going to be a Herculean task for the Rajapakse regime as it is facing severe financial difficulties due to the ongoing war. Emphasis, therefore, can be placed on reducing the tax burden on the people of the east and devolve some power of taxation to the local councils. By this the local bodies can gradually become financially independent.

Fourth, the local polls laid a good foundation for similar future democratic exercises, especially the upcoming provincial council elections. Already, the UNP which had boycotted the local council polls has decided to contest provincial council elections. If the TNA follows the same path, it will provide much credence to the polls and the subsequent formation of an Eastern provincial council. The TNA's underlying demand, however, has been a merged Northeast. For the time being, the Tamil party could consider contesting the Eastern provincial council elections to demonstrate its support base. If it garners a majority, that can be read as a referendum for a united Northeast. Given the present situation, however, it is doubtful whether the TNA will get even one-third of the total votes. The Tamil party is aware of this. What is crucial for the Rajapakse regime at this juncture is to conduct elections essentially to provide some self-governance to the people of the east rather than to make it merely a symbolic gesture aimed at the international community.