Cabinet nod for new draft bill on elections

The government is to introduce a new draft Bill titled Elections (Special Provisions) Bill with the aim of amending several existing pieces of legislation relating to elections. 

Cabinet yesterday (12) approved a proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to advice the Legal Draftsman to prepare a bill to introduce a new Act containing the amendments 

The new legislation will introduce amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act No.1 of 1981, the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance, Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act and the Provincial Councils Elections Act. 

On December 12, 2022, Cabinet gave approval to amend the amend the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981 to take appropriate action in case of violation of the code of conduct by political parties/independent groups and candidates contesting for an election and to establish special polling stations for specially identified voters who cannot vote at the designated polling station on election day.

Cabinet nod has also been given to amend the Local Government Polls Ordinance, the Parliamentary Elections Act, Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act and the Provincial Council Elections Act so that legal action can be taken in cases of violation of Media Guidelines when an election has been declared.