• A proposal made to regulate the media and social media when an election is declared in the country 
• A new programme should be implemented to protect the suffrage of Sri Lankan overseas expatriates

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Chairman Commission of Elections Nimal Punchihewa has proposed the introduction of a regulatory system for media during election times.   

The Parliament Media Unit said in a statement that Mr. Punchihewa made this proposal at the meeting of the select committee to Identify Appropriate Reforms of Election Laws and the Electoral System and to Recommend Necessary Amendments for the second consecutive day on Thursday.   

He has also stressed that there should be a systematic program to regulate the media and social media when an election is declared in the country.   

The Elections Commission also stated that a comprehensive amendment should be made to the existing method of disposing the deposits of candidates under the current Local Government Election Act. 

The commission also suggested that a mobile voting system be set up for the disabled. The Elections Commission also said that new amendments should be made to allow the visually impaired to cast their ballots through a braille system. They also pointed out that a new program should be implemented to protect the suffrage of Sri Lankan expatriates abroad. 
  At the time of handing over  the nominations, the Elections Commission had proposed that a mechanism for declaring assets and liabilities should be activated and steps should be in place to provide legal provision of ethics. The Commission was of the view that an electronic method of counting votes should be adopted. The Chairman of the Committee pointed out that it is more practical to count the votes at the polling booths.   

Committee members also pointed out to the Elections Commission that there have been reports of single persons being registered in the Electoral Roll at different locations.   

The Commission emphasized that strikes and protests during the election period are a major obstacle to a free and fair election.   

The Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena requested the Election Commission to support the expeditious holding of the Provincial Council Elections which are continuously delayed due to various reasons.   

The need to hold a by-election to fill a vacancy created by a Member of Parliament vacating their seat was also considered by the select committee Committee.   

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Members of Parliament Ranjith Madduma Bandara, M.A Sumanthiran, Rauf Hakeem, Mano Ganeshan, Madura Vithanage and Sagara Kariyawasam were also present at the meeting.   
The next meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee is scheduled to be held on October 7 2021.     
** The Commission was of the view that an electronic method of counting votes should be adopted