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Election in a multicultural nation
Dhiraj Kumar Nath
On one fine morning of late September, 2007 while walking near the Danforth and the Main station of East York, Toronto, an accomplished gentleman gave me a leaflet after shaking hand with a smile. After walking a while with a cup of coffee from Tim Horton's, I found the leaflet contain an appeal of Mr. Michael Prue to re-elect him as a member of Provincial Parliament in the ensuing election to be held on 10th October,2007.
It was amazing to me when I recognised the photo of Mr. Prue, the candidate for MPP from Beaches- East York constituency, handed over the leaflet to me personally.
Election of Ontario province
There were no visible meeting, procession and poster in the neighborhood in spite of election date of Ontario province approaching very quickly and candidates of different parties were contesting from a single constituency. Of course, tinplates were visible in the lawn of few houses introducing the candidate only by name and the party he belongs. Precisely, it was difficult to realise about an election forthcoming in that province of Ontario, Canada, from the movements of political parties and contestants.
Provincial election and referendum
This will be the 39th provincial election of Ontario and a very important Referendum. Every voter will be given two ballots, one to elect an MPP and other for Referendum.
One ballot will be used for voting a candidate on the basis of First- Past- the-Post i.e. the candidate with most votes shall be declared winner according to procedure as before and shall be representative for the electoral district in the provincial legislature. The political party which will win the most electoral districts shall form the government.
The second ballot for Referendum is called Mixed Member Proportional. It is called a mixed system because it combines two voting systems, the First- Past -the -Post system and a Proportional Representation system. If the system is accepted, Ontarians will have two votes in future elections: one for a Local Member and one for a political party.
At present, there are 107 seats whereas under the new system the provincial legislature will have 129 seats: local members would fill 90 seats while list members will have to fill 39 seats. The political party with largest number of seats in the legislature including Local Members and List Members shall form the Government.
This Mixed Member Proportional system is not in practice in any other province of Canada. There was a Referendum in 1924 where people voted for the Beer Store and Liquor shop to be managed by the Government.
Political parties and representation
Ontario Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reforms, constituted with 52 women and 52 men between the age of 18 to 74 has suggested the reforms in the electoral system to reduce the influence of political parties and empower the local representation in the governance of the province.
In the last election held in 2003, the Liberal Party of Ontario with 67 out of 107 seats in the Assembly formed the Government. The Progressive Conservative Party with 25 MPs and New Democratic Party with 10 were in the opposition in the provincial Assembly.
Besides, these three parties, Green Party, Family Coalition Party, Freedom Party, Communist Party, Republican Party, and Reform Party are very active in the political scenario although they have no representation in the Provincial Assembly. Mr. Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada belongs to Progressive Conservative Party whereas Premier of Ontario Mr. Dalton McGuinty was from Liberal Party. The pre-poll survey predicts that the Liberal Party might be winner again in this provincial election of 10th October, 2007
Ontario: a multi-cultural province
The total population of Ontario province is One crore 27 lakhs with the density of 14 people per square kilometer. The per capita GDP is around $43847. About 70 per cent of the population is Christians, 3.1 per cent Muslim, 1.9 per cent Hindu, 1.7 per cent Jews, 1.1 per cent Buddhists and 16.3 per cent do not believe in any religion. Canada is a country with English and French used as state language. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act recognizes cultural diversity. All are free to maintain and share cultural heritage and participate fully and equally in national life. In this state with multicultural background of English, Irish, Scottish, German, Swiss, Dutch, Italian, Jewish, Asian, African and American, it is difficult to conduct an election acceptable to all. But the Government has made it possible.
Free and fair election
Election there is very fair where all parties are free to propagate their manifesto through different media or their own websites. The inclusion of name in the voter list is a normal phenomenon where any person can be a voter if he is above 18 years of age, a citizen, and a resident of Ontario. A person can call over phone or communicate with election office or call over phone to enlist as voter or any question necessary. None can contemplate to be restricted to enter into the booth or cast a false vote or be intimidated with any hassle.
Any type of terrorism in the polling station or imposition of 144 Cr.P C is unknown to the voters or to the election offices. Voters decide their option to cast vote in favor of a person or a party after careful consideration of strategic program and pledges of the party. Mr. Dalton Mc Guinty, the leader of the Liberal Party of Ontario has announced 71 commitments, such as, assistance to public school, restrictions on the use of pesticide in agriculture, enhancement of minimum wages to $ 10 per hour etc. On the other hand, Mr. John Tory of Progressive Conservative party supported the plea to provide more assistance to religious based educational institutions. PC, NDP and Green parties have blamed Liberal party for the breach of commitments and enhancement of taxes very often and on.
Lessons to be learnt
This is very important to learn how a nation with multi-cultural heritage could establish good governance in all spheres of its administration with remarkable improvement in the system to nurture a multi-party democracy. Transparency and accountability with honesty and integrity at all levels are virtues capable of responding to the demands of the citizens irrespective of their rank and status. The state gives guarantee of welfare of citizens and ensures to protect fundamental rights but demands a strong discipline from every citizen.
Unfortunately, we could not reach to a consensus to hold a fair and free election in spite of having a single national language and a common cultural heritage. Perhaps, Bangladesh is the only example where a national election has been foiled on the issue of voter list which happens to be normal function of the election commission. People's expectation about the neutrality and efficiency of election commission and the bureaucracy was frustrated in rank and file.
We shall overcome one day
There is yet enough time to overcome. To attain economic progress, prosperity in national life and establish good governance at all levels, even a century might be needed with enough sacrifice. The concerted initiatives and commitments are required from the civil society organizations, patriots and prudent politicians to build a nation with honor and dignity.
We must be united unconditionally to uphold our image as a proud nation, devoid of conflict and crisis, free from poverty and social degradation to achieve the millennium development goals. We shall be able to pay respect to the blood of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this nation.
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