Local elections in the East is victory for freedom and democracy

"The victors in the election i.e., the TMVP came under severe criticisms from many quarters since nominations for the elections were closed. The criticisms were centred on TMVP cadres carrying arms during election campaigns. Unfortunately, criticisms came from the traditional TMVP bashers. Despite criticisms and provocations, TMVP behaved exceptionally well during the campaign and on the election day. They did not interfere with their opponent’s campaigns and also did not engage in any notable violence or intimidation against any of the opposing parties, despite provocations made by the TMVP bashers."

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• The elections in the east this week was a remarkable achievement, despite accusations and concerns aired by many that it was a muddied process. It was unfortunate that the main opposition United National Party, JVP and the Tamil National Alliance did not contest the elections. If they had contested, democracy would have triumphed further to strengthen the emerging stability and freedom in the East
  
  The victors in the election i.e., the TMVP came under severe criticisms from many quarters since nominations for the elections were closed. The criticisms were centred on TMVP cadres carrying arms during election campaigns. Unfortunately, criticisms came from the traditional TMVP bashers. Despite criticisms and provocations, TMVP behaved exceptionally well during the campaign and on the election day. They did not interfere with their opponent’s campaigns and also did not engage in any notable violence or intimidation against any of the opposing parties, despite provocations made by the TMVP bashers.
  
  Compared to the last general election held in the North, when extensive manipulations, violence and vote rigging took place overtly, the local election in the east contested by the LTTE breakaway group did not reflect semblance or scale of rigging orchestrated by the LTTE in the general election.
  
  Even the other militant groups like EPDP, EPRLF and EROS played their positive role to contest the elections in a fair manner. Though EROS’s comments about the elections confirms its hurt following its defeat, one must appreciate that it too played its due role to uphold democracy through its reorganised political arm after remaining in isolation for nearly twenty years.
  
  One of the main vociferous critics was the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance. They tried to sit on moral high grounds and criticise the TMVP, forgetting their election to the parliament with LTTE influence and heavy vote rigging which did not occur in the east election.
  
  TNA has to learn a lot from this election. They must implore on the LTTE to hold similar elections in Vanni and without ducking and diving even ask them to engage in the Provincial Council elections. Having being selected as candidates for the last general election and made them elected to the parliament, the LTTE is now peddling with the TNA parliamentarians to extend their authority further. Mistrust the LTTE have on the TNA parliamentarians can be judged from the way they are being used by them as poodles. They are being used only as mouthpieces espousing LTTE’s violent cause and the diatribe of the TNA on TMVP is nothing other than reflection of their master’s hate mindset. If they to not follow their masters voice, consequence would be serious like what happened to parliamentarian Sivanesan.
  
  The TULF leader V Ananadasangaree too criticised the TMVP during elections. He said voting for TMVP will be voting for the break up of the north and east. This comment was unhelpful to bring unity between north and east. The outcome of the election had made V Anandasangaree eat humble pies as people did not wither away from voting for the TMVP.
  TMVP has entered the democratic field and had the resounding backing of the people. Its members may not have expertise to govern. They need all the support to strengthen themselves further to engage in the democratic path. It is time that right minded people give practical and moral support to the TMVP to help them give up their violent path fully and turn as respectable and acceptable democrats.
  
  In order for the TMVP to become strength, it must do two things. It must consider changing its competitive name to that of the LTTE which incorporates the violent Tigers. This symbol and name only displays violence, hate and prejudices. Change in name will make all the difference for the TMVP and it will give a different image to that of the LTTE. Giving up its arms will be another mind boggling effort for the TMVP. Until such time, it must find ways to control the use of arms to intimidate, threaten or even use against the civilian population.
  
  TMVP’s assertion that they have to hold arms to protect themselves from their arch rivals LTTE, however justified, is difficult assertion to digest. Unless Vanni is ring fenced by the forces to prevent LTTE from venturing out of their secluded area, TMVP will be always vulnerable to the LTTE.
  
  [March 13, 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian]

- Sri Lanka Guardian