News
Electoral reforms: No input from major political parties
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
None of the political parties represented in Parliament made submissions to the nine-member Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice Priyasad Dep to prepare proposals for electoral reforms.
The Commission has finalised its report and suggested the adoption of a mixed system whereby 60 percent of the MPs will be elected on a first-past-the-post basis and 40 percent on a proportional representation basis.
Among the other suggestions has been the appointment of a delimitation commission to re-demarcate the electoral boundaries and ensure that every 125,000 voters have a parliamentarian. It also recommended that the independence of the Election Commission be enhanced and women’s representation in Parliament be increased to 50 percent.
Amendments to the media guidelines and the introduction of a code of ethics for registering new political parties are among other recommendations.
The commission has also proposed the introduction of a system where migrant voters and those in the foreign service attached to diplomatic missions can vote.
An advanced voting system for the disabled and those with special needs has also been recommended.
The report was handed over on July 17 after around 100 persons or representatives from various organisations testified before the commission. Among them were the representatives of the United Nations and the European Union.
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