Election Commission clarifies National List MP eligibility

Ranjan Saturday, 16 November 2024 11:24 PM

Yes, how can a person not able to win can become a MP under nation list, then what is the purpose of election. This national list method should be abolished. From this only all these unqualified and unwanted people enter parliament. Otherwise this option also should be given to people write exams, if they fail the exam should be given chance to enter university.

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Duncan Sunday, 17 November 2024 02:33 AM

The person not elected is not a looser. He/ she did not get sufficient votes to come into the system. He/she has a second path to become a MP. That is the National list.

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BanduXX Sunday, 17 November 2024 11:23 AM

But he the loser has been rejected by the voters as UNSUITABLE to represent them in Parliament. The purpose is to elect peoples representatives not by a select few stooges like they did for Ranil.

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[email protected] Sunday, 17 November 2024 03:11 AM

You mean Namal Rajapkshe?

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Rajan V Pillai Sunday, 17 November 2024 03:31 AM

There is no looser in elections. Only thing the ballots one candidate obtained is not suffice, sometimes by two. He is in a better position than the person nominated in the National List who has not even got a single vote . Of course a candidate could be treated as a looser only if he has faied to receive even one vote. See what happens once an elected member dies or resign? The person who obtained the next highest number of ballots is declared as a member. So where is the looser concept? We must leave it to the respective political parties the choice of National List member. There should be a time limit placed to name a List MP following an election. Say three days prior to the commencement of the Parliament sessions. If the party fails to name , names as per order in the list should be gazetted.

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Nihal S Sunday, 17 November 2024 05:05 AM

Two different things. The purpose of the National List is to call people with special skills to develop and govern the country (eg. constitution experts, reform specialists, international relations advisors, special needs group representatives etc.) by including them in the parliament team, who are not necessarily have the skillset to win a seat. By contesting elections and loosing such people should not disqualify them to get into the parliament through the National list. The issue here is the misuse of this provision by certain government. For example, Sirisena appointed SB Dissanayaka and few others through National list after they lost the elections (and I think then cross over pay-back). Let us hope NPP will not do it in Sirisena way.

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Rajan V Pillai Monday, 18 November 2024 10:14 AM

If past practices are intepreted , it means " Buying MP'ship through money or other connections. Specialisation or Skills are immaterial. If Parliament wishes to have opinion on any special issues, they can approach the respective individual anywhere in the world. They need not be in the Parliament.

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A Supporter of Losers Sunday, 17 November 2024 05:34 AM

Losers as well as some former MPs who did not contest in this election knowing they would lose but put their names in the National List e.g. Namal Rajapaksa should not be allowed to enter the Parliament through the back door e.g. Ranil Wickremasinghe who later became Ranil Rajapaksa.

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Yahapale Gamegr Sunday, 17 November 2024 06:38 AM

You mean Namal Rajapkshe?

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Grace Sunday, 17 November 2024 08:14 AM

Ranil is not a loser as he didn't contest the parliamentary election. He always likes backdoor entry and enjoy the fruit of power.

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Citizen for meaningful reforms Sunday, 17 November 2024 08:17 AM

Very true. The new government when formulating the new constitution should do away with this provision. Moreover should return back to first past the post system with six nominated members from professionals with extraordinary performance and under represented sections of the people viz: Malays, Burgers

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Sokrates Sunday, 17 November 2024 10:28 AM

Whether someone stood for election and was not elected or someone who did not stand for election and was therefore not elected is completely irrelevant. It is entirely up to a party to decide who it considers indispensable in parliament. In western democracies with list places in the electoral system, it is common practice to secure important politicians on list places.

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Tamil voter Sunday, 17 November 2024 04:50 PM

I perfectly agree with you, National list is UNDEMOCRETIC, where else in the world a person rejected by people allowed to the parliament through this back door, it may not be illegal in the country but it is morally wrong and a kind of bribe to those who colluded with the corrupted positions. Experts in the relevant fields can be appointed as secretary to ministers but never be allowed to make laws.

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Lumbini Sunday, 17 November 2024 12:59 PM

No, not this this time.

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