ELECTORAL REFERENDUM: If You Want A More Equitable Electoral System, Vote YES Otherwise You Already Have The System You Want!

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By Balwant Sanghera

Voting Packages for the 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform are already being sent out to British Columbians. My family and I received ours a few days ago. There is no doubt that some of the options are a bit difficult to understand. However, we should consider this opportunity as a learning experience.  The Voter’s Guide sent to every British Columbian household explains the process and the options in detail. We should read it carefully. Also, both the mainstream media and our own South Asian media –both electronic and print- have been doing an excellent job in explaining the referendum and the options. Thus, rather than giving up we should try to educate ourselves and complete the certification envelope and mark the ballot and put it in the mail as soon as possible.

During the past few weeks there has been a lot of discussion in the media about the referendum. Both Pro- PR and Anti-PR forces have been in overdrive in making their cases. I am in favour of Proportional Representation (PR).  I find that some of the anti-referendum rhetoric is rather unfounded.

In an article a few months ago in one of Metro Vancouver’s major newspapers, Seth Klein and Vyas Saran have done an excellent job in clarifying some of the misconceptions about Proportional Representation (PR), especially with respect to the possibility of fringe parties being elected to the legislature. The NO side seems to be creating unnecessary anxiety amongst the electorate about the upcoming referendum about giving the citizens of this province an opportunity to make a choice. As Klein and Saran have stated PR has been implemented and working successfully in a number of countries. As such, there is no reason as to why, if chosen by British Columbians, it won’t work here.

For one, under PR every vote will count. Furthermore, it encourages greater political consensus, compromise and coalition building. PR fosters long term stability and prevents power concentration in a few hands. Rather than the current rigid control by party leadership under the First Past The Post (FPTP), there should be less discipline in the legislature and an opportunity for more initiatives byordinary MLAs. Establishment of a threshold of receiving at least five percent of the votes cast province wide, in order to win a seat in the legislature, is an excellent safeguard against fringe parties to get into the legislature. Overall, PR is overdue in this province. It is worth a try.

There is no doubt that FPTP voting method has served us well so far. However, in view of the changing political landscape it is time for British Columbians to switch to PR. This new voting method will make every vote count. It will also ensure that representatives of every political party elected to the legislature are encouraged to work collaboratively for the greater benefit of British Columbians. It is a fairer and inclusive rather than exclusive voting method. It is far better than our current FPTP method. This referendum provides an excellent opportunity for British Columbians to rise above narrow partisan and political interests and give PR a try.

Our vote is one of the most precious rights we have in Canada. Whether we are Pro- PR or Pro- FPTP method, we must exercise our right to vote. In order to vote in this referendum one must be at least 18 years old as of November 30, 2018, a Canadian citizen and a resident of BC for at least six months immediately before November 30, 2018. Most of the Referendum Packages have already been delivered to every BC household. However, if you qualify and still haven’t received one you should contact Elections B.C. at elections .bc.ca/ovr or call their toll free number: 1-800-661-8683. The deadline for receipt of your response is November 30.

Balwant Sanghera is a retired School Psychologist and Community Activist.