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New electoral changes get poor response from parties
By Shelani Perera
The Parliament Select Committee on Electoral Reforms has expressed displeasure over the poor response from registered political parties in making representations to the Committee, which ended last month.

Chairman of the Select Committee Dinesh Gunawardena told The Sunday Times the response from the parties including the main political parties were poor . 'We expected the parties to submit comprehensive details. We sent out letters to the 51 registered political parties. The deadline for political parties to make representations ended on September 29. Maybe, the political parties want to make special representations' he said.

The Select Committee which is to submit its report to Parliament on January 31, has so far interviewed the Elections Commissioner, Commissioner for Registration of Persons and independent election monitoring bodies.

The Elections Commissioner has submitted an 80 page document relating to election laws, the conduct of free and fair elections and the Elections Commission.
'The Elections Commissioner came before the Committee for two days. It was a very positive meeting, we were able to get many details.

The Commissioner for Registration of Persons came forward regarding the use of the National Identity Card at a poll. We were given details to clear any doubts regarding the use of the NIC. We are still meeting various organizations.

This week we will be meeting women's organisations' said Mr. Gunawardena. He said that at present the Committee is classifying the details made available by the officials. 'The details will be classified into Parliamentary elections, local government elections, election laws and other topics.

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