PARLIAMENT

• According to the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, the time given for filing an election petition increased from 21 days to 42 days.
• As the fines prescribed under the Election Acts are not sufficient, fines should also be updated to match the current financial situation.

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Just and Law-Abiding Society took into consideration the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) and Elections (Special Provisions) Bills at the recently held Committee meeting.

The said Bills were taken into consideration and approved at the Committee meeting held Chaired by Hon. W. D. J. Seneviratne.

According to Section 205 of the Code of Civil Procedure, these amendments were submitted in relation to the issuance of certified copies of the judgment and the judgment of the proceedings. Accordingly, provisions are made to issue one certified copy of the judgment or the statement of judgment to the parties concerned free of charge. It also includes amendments to enable the relevant copies to be obtained subject to payment of fees.

By the Election (Special Provisions) Bill, the Regulation of Election Expenses Act No. 03 of 2023 amends the time given for filing an election petition within 21 days from the date of announcement of the election results from 21 days to 42 days. According to the current law, political parties or independent groups or candidates must submit election expenses within 21 days from the date of declaration of election results, failing which an election petition has been provided. Thus, the period will be revised to 42 days.

Furthermore, this Bill will update the fines to match the current financial situation as the penalty amounts prescribed by the current election laws are not sufficient.
Members of Parliament Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Hon. Isuru Udyoga Dodangoda and Hon. Madhura Withanage, were present at the Committee meeting held.