Govt seeks to introduce new electoral system for PC polls

• Approval deferred since further time sought to study it
• Government has taken a decision to conduct the delayed elections to the  Provincial Councils after clearing legal obstacles presently standing in  the way of it

By Kelum Bandara

The Government has sought Cabinet approval for the introduction of a new electoral system – a mix of proportional representation and the First Past the Post System - for the conduct of election to the Provincial Councils, a source said yesterday.  However, the Cabinet clearance for the proposed piece of legislation was deferred after Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila sought more time to study it and come up with his recommendations.    

The Government has taken a decision to conduct the delayed elections to the Provincial Councils after clearing legal obstacles presently standing in the way of it. The previous government introduced a new law in the form of an amendment to the Provincial Councils Elections Act. According to that law, the elections should be conducted under a mix system to elect 50 percent of members under proportional representation and the rest under the First Past the Post System. However, delimitation process has hit a legal snag making it impossible for the conduct of polls in terms of the present law in force.   

Subject Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon submitted a new Cabinet paper last week seeking approval for fresh legislative work to amend the system and break the stand-off. According to the proposed criterion, 70 percent of members are to be elected under the First Past the Post System and the remaining percent under proportional representation.   

The UNHRC resolution that was adopted on Sri Lanka calls for the Government to strengthen local governance by constituting Provincial Councils. India also insists on doing it by implementing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. 

 
However, some ruling party politicians ask for scrapping the system. MP Gevidu Cumaratunga proposed to convert the provincial councils into developing coordinating institutions without any law making authority. 

•  MP Gevidu Cumaratunga proposed to convert the provincial councils into  developing coordinating institutions without any law making authority
•  The UNHRC resolution that was adopted on Sri Lanka calls for the  Government to strengthen local governance by constituting Provincial  Councils