There are debates regarding whether the Local Government (LG) election scheduled for March would contribute to some sort of positive change in the economic crisis-hit Sri Lanka and whether holding the election is a prudent move given the state of the economy. The upcoming LG election, according to political commentators and also the general public, should not be underestimated merely because many of the reforms necessary to change the country’s situation for the better should ideally come from the Government.

Many of these opinions concern the country’s prevailing situation, and the public’s or the voters’ role is at the centre of it. Regardless of the LG election’s place in the overall socioeconomic context, this is still an election that has a significant impact on the people, and those who seek a “system change” should see this as an opportunity.

Last year (2022), the public wanted a “system change”, as the existing political system does not prioritise the people’s interests. This change was the main long-term objective of the “aragalaya” (people’s struggle) movement, and ousting the former Government was part of it. However, ousting that Government was just the first step towards achieving the desired change. Many more steps are yet to follow. Changing a political culture is not something one government or one generation can accomplish; it requires a systematic approach and more than a single election.

In this context, it is important to understand that the LG election is just one of those many steps, but it is a step that has a direct impact on the public. Without these small steps, it is impossible to truly achieve a “system change”.

One might argue that national-level political changes, such as changing the President or the government, are the changes that matter as far as the socioeconomic situation is concerned. However, this is a misleading opinion, as the LG system of governance is a part of the “system” that the public wants to change. Not only does the LG election give the people an opportunity to get rid of LG councillors (Municipal and Urban) and members (Pradeshiya Sabhas) that are not competent enough to govern the areas, but it also allows them to elect councillors and members who could potentially be better public representatives. Although voters do not vote for a candidate solely based on the two said factors, those who say that the LG election is a waste of resources should understand that the changes made at the LG level have a considerable impact on the national level. In other words, “system change” at the LG level contributes to “system change” at the national level.

That is why instead of believing that they have to wait for a Presidential or Parliamentary election to initiate the change they desire, the public should obtain the maximum benefit out of the LG poll. The first step is to change their mindset that the LG election is not important in transforming the socioeconomic situation for the better. Most importantly, this time, the only factors that the people should take into account when casting their votes are to determine which candidates could potentially, truly, represent them, and which candidates are most likely to fulfil their promises. They should understand that the “aragalaya” movement is merely a declaration that a “system change” is essential, and that elections and the public’s responsible exercising of their franchise are two of the ways of achieving that “system change” in a democratic manner.