The thought of elections usually brings feelings of boredom and drudgery to my mind. The only interest which they garner in me is the chance of polishing arguments with my sister of why I didn't bother to vote.
But that was before I came to live in a nation where national elections create an atmosphere so thick with politics that at times it is hard to tell whether you're breathing in air or propaganda. You may not know it, but today is the day of Sri Lanka's 6th Presidntial election. As I write this, the votes are being furiously counted, with millions of Sri Lankans waiting with fingers crossed, incense burning and breath held to hear the final verdict. By the time you read this, you can probably head over to Google and find out the results for yourself.
With Sri Lanka's recent history of violence and newly achieved peace, the results of this election are monumental and of great historical significance for this tiny island. I am guessing that the importance of this election will earn it enough clout to make International news: probably a ten second, maybe fifteen second slot at the beginning of the newscast to fill time while they tantalize you with snipits of the more exciting news that will keep you watching till the end of the broadcast. I was thinking today about the countless news items I have watched that parallel this exact event: "Unimportant, tiny third world country elects new President!" I barely took notice. But now, living here during one of these elections has opened my eyes to the incredible struggle it is to achieve democratic, peaceful, fair elections.
Ever since President Mahinda Rajapaksa (famous as the President who ended the 25 year war with the LTTE Tiger terrorist army) declared in late November that he was holding an election to seek another term in office, the country has been ablaze with outrageous propaganda and zealous campaigning. Everyone is entranced by the election: the unemployed school dropouts who follow the armored, police guarded vehicles of high rank politicians, showing their support by lighting firecrackers that explode at gunshot decibel; the poor farmers who ditch out on their daily duties to consume the free liquor provided by the political party which is holding a public address rally in their town; the dedicated shopkeepers who religiously paste posters of their preferred candidate all over the city on their way home from work, defacing the posters of rival candidates as they go; even children benefit - the president has declared (only last week) three days of national holidays surrounding the election day, which means shops and schools have been deserted while people flock to the nearest television set to take in the latest political mudslinging (the mudslinging is actually quite comical: some politicians rewrite lyrics of pop songs to malign their opponents, others prefer kindergarten-name-calling tactics - the most popular of these being "dog" and "monkey") that has run incessantly on every news channel since November. In fact, I don't think I have heard one news story since the election campaigns started that doesn't relate to the election in some way - not even one!
Everyone seems to hold intense loyalty towards one of the twenty presidential candidates (though it is really a two-horse race between Rajapaksa and retired General Sarath Fonseka - a national hero for his command of the army to end the war against the terrorist Tigers). Party loyalty is stubbornly clung to and, if needed, defended. Countless clashes have broke out when civillian groups of zealous supporters march through the streets of their towns, employing loud speakers and noise makers to rile up their political opponents. These actions are invariably countered by another party, often resulting in violent altercations. Unofficially, there have been four deaths, twelve shootings and hundreds of injuries due to political violence since November.
It is truly a miracle that there was no violence today on voting day (at least none that was reported: all media is government censored to some degree). Tomorrow might be a different story.
It is indeed bizarre to be living in one of those little ten second news clips that no one pays attention to. There is a lot more that goes on than "the winner is...." Elections will surely take on a new meaning for me the next time that I am fortunate enough to participate in one.
Maybe, to the delight of my sister, I might even vote next time.
2 comments:
Well David, if it takes going to Sri Lanka for you to realize the importance of exercising not only your democratic right but also your democratic duty, then I am glad you have had this experience. Lindsay and I will hold you accountable.
I was hoping you would come around. Perhaps it isn't so bad to listen to your little sister and her vast stores of political wisdom...haha. Now the next step is to turn you into an informed voter.
Post a Comment