PARLIAMENT

The Election Commission should be empowered to deal with the violations pertaining to the media criteria prepared by the Elections Commission, said the Chairman of the Election Commission, Mr. Nimal Punchihewa speaking at the Select Committee of Parliament to Identify Appropriate Reforms of the Election Laws and the Electoral System and to Recommend Necessary Amendments for the second consecutive day, yesterday (30). He also said that it was essential that the media criteria be presented to Parliament for approval.

He also stressed that there should be a systematic program to regulate the media and social media during the election season.

The Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee Hon. 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 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 brail system.

They also pointed out that a new program should be implemented to protect the suffrage of foreign workers.

At the time of handing over the nominations, the Elections Commission stated that a mechanism for declaring assets and liabilities should be activated and steps should be taken to legalize election 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 booth itself.

Committee members also pointed out to the Elections Commission that there have been reports of single persons being registered in the Electoral Roll at two locations.
The Commission emphasized in the Committee that strikes and protests during the election period are a major obstacle to a free and fair election.

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

Hon. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Hon. 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 the 07th of October, said the Secretary to the Select Committee, Deputy Secretary General & Chief of Staff of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadheera.