Nine member Commission appointed to formulate electoral reforms

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a nine member Commission headed by former Chief Justice Priyasath Dep to prepare electoral reforms.

The other members are  Suntharam Arumainayaham,  Senanayake Alisandaralage Nalin Jayantha Abeysekara, PC,  Rajitha Naveen Christopher Senaratna Perera,  Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem , Sagarica Delgoda, Esther Sriyani Nimalka Fernando and  Vitharanage Deepani Samantha Rodrigo.

The Gazette notification appointing the Commission said  new laws have been introduced effecting changes to the election system and the mode of conducting elections with the promulgation of the 1978 Constitution and the laws need to be amended to suit current societal needs by conforming with principles of good governance and strengthening representative democracy.

The main task would be to:

* Examine all existing election laws and regulations and make necessary recommendations for the amendment of election laws to suit current needs, giving special consideration to following factors as well.

* Increase women and youth representation.

* Reduce the period between the time of declaration of an election and the release of results after conducting such election.

* Provide an opportunity for electronic voting using modern technology instead of the printed ballot paper.

* Provide facilities for voting by Sri Lankans in overseas.

* Enable a person to contest 02 elections for the selection of people’s representatives and have the opportunity to represent both councils at the same time if elected (eg. to give an opportunity for a person elected to Parliament and also contest a provincial council election, and if elected, have the opportunity to represent both councils at the same time.

* Provide an opportunity for voters not serving in the government sector, who are engaged in provision of election related services on election day, to use postal voting.

* Formulate an appropriate mechanism blended with the first-past-the-post voting system for the election of people’s representatives, not limiting to the proportional representation system, but taking into consideration the plural nature of society, and reflecting such plural characteristics.

* Make recommendations for the formulation of media standards for the appropriate use of media by political parties and independent groups.

* Make recommendations for the introduction of a code of conduct for political parties, independent groups and their membership in performing political and public affairs.

* Make recommendations for the strengthening of laws and regulations related to registration of political parties and their operations in a manner that elicits trust and public accountability.

The Commission has been given six months to inquiries and make all other investigations and report.