Basil and Rauff appointed to select committee on electoral reforms

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and MP Rauff Hakeem have been appointed as new members to the Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments.

The new appointments were announced by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena in Parliament today (22). 

The select committee met yesterday (21) under the chairmanship of Hon. Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The electoral roll should be further expanded to include information about the voter's occupation, permanent residence, source of income, telephone number, marital status, vehicles, housing, etc., said the General Secretary of the United National Freedom Front Maithri Gunaratne at the Committee meeting.

He said that it was appropriate to establish a divisional electoral system and that it should be used for local government, provincial council and parliamentary elections.

MP Mano Ganeshan on behalf of the Tamil Progressive Alliancesaid that the proportional representation system is suitable for the country.

He emphasized in the committee that fair representation of the dispersed ethnic groups is needed and that it can only be achieved through proportional representation.

Speaking at the Select Committee on behalf of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), MP M. A. Sumanthiran said that the Election Commission should be further strengthened and its independence ensured.

He emphasized that the current local government election system was weak and needed to be amended. He further stated that the electoral system should be strengthened to protect the rights of minorities.

The Chairman also requested the Parliamentary Select Committee to inform the Attorney General's Department of its views on the steps to be taken to hold the Provincial Council Elections expeditiously.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Jeevan Thondaman, MPs Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Kabir Hashim, Madhura Withanageand and Sagara Kariyawasam were present at the Select Committee on Tuesday.

The Committee will meet today (22) and September 29 and 30, said the Secretary to the Select Committee, Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera.