People don’t vote rationally at general election held after presidential polls

By Rathindra Kuruwita

People do not vote rationally when the general election is held after the presidential election, founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa recently told a televised interview.

“If someone wins the presidential election, even by a vote, the party he or she represents can get a significant majority in Parliament. I don’t think this is a good thing. If we hold a general election before the presidential election, there is a better chance of a more balanced Parliament.”

Rajapaksa said the SLPP almost won a two-thirds majority in the 2020 election and he now believes that this had negative consequences.

“We won the presidential election in 2019 and then the general election in 2020. Now people think power must not be concentrated like this. Even I think too much power is bad, we need checks and balances.”

Rajapaksa said there are only two parties that have organizational structures around the country. They are the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

“There are two parties that have public support, i.e., Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the SLPP. So we are the only party with both an organizational structure and public support.”

Rajapaksa said that the person who has the capacity to govern the country, in his opinion, is in the UNP that has no organizational structure or public support. The National People’s Power (NPP) does not have public support like the SJB or SLPP.

“You need a countrywide organizational structure, public support and a good candidate to win a presidential election. UNP’s Ranil Wickremesinghe is a good candidate and he can govern. I want to unite all the above three factors. That’s what will benefit the country.”

Rajapaksa said he would like the SLPP, SJB, UNP and the NPP to work together.

“Someone needs to bring these forces together. We are also not afraid to go it alone.”

Rajapaksa said that he has not held any discussions with the President on elections.

“The dates for the presidential election is given in the Constitution. However, the government can hold the general or any other election before that. There are some people who think a general election should be held first. However, the SLPP has not taken a decision on whether we must push for a general election before the presidential election.”

Rajapaksa said people believe stable governments and an executive presidency are not needed.