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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told the Government Parliamentary Group Meeting that amendments to the Local Government Elections Ordinance will soon be presented in Parliament, making it possible to file petitions against the conduct of local polls.

This Bill will be taken up for debating in Parliament on February 19 and 20 since it is a vital step towards safeguarding democracy, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe added.

The Prime Minister said the Government has displayed its commitment towards the protection of democracy by taking this decision. It is a step which is unlikely to be taken by a party in power.

"The policy of our party is to further strengthen democracy and this step is a clear example for this. Also, the judgement of the Negombo Municipal Council Election case necessitated these amendments," he added.

The Premier told the Government MPs that a good example should be set at this election by conducting it in a free and fair manner according to the prevailing laws.

Police has been instructed to maintain law and order. Steps will be taken to empower elections observers such as PAFFREL and CMEV to do their job properly. Steps will also be taken to avoid the use of polythene for election campaigning, the premier said.

Gampaha District MP Sarachchandra Rajakaruna, clarifying a rumour that he was going to resign from the post of Attanagalla party organiser said that he had not made any such move.

Expressing his views on this issue, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that according to tradition, one has to resign from all portfolios including party membership. He cited Gamini Jayasuriya's resignation from the party at the time of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution as an example.

Several Ministers pointed out the need for providing a fair price for paddy at the Maha harvest. The Prime Minister instructed them to prepare a program after discussions with the Wijedasa Committee, which has already prepared plans to protect farmers and consumers. He said that the certified price for one kilo of paddy should be maintained at Rs.13.50.

Addressing the Cabinet news briefing yesterday, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that current provisions in the law enabling aggrieved parties to gain legal redress in the event of polls malpractices were only for Parliamentary and Provincial Council polls.

Election petition trials could be held in the Courts of the area where the offence has been committed. They could later be channelled to the Appeal Court and the Supreme Courts, Prof. Peiris said.

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