UNP democratic group endorses proposed electoral reforms

Chaminda Perera

COLOMBO: The UNP Democratic Group endorsed the proposed electoral reforms presented to Parliament by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms

Export Development and International Trade Minister G. L. Peiris at a press briefing at the Kirulapona Seth Sevana yesterday said people have been clamouring for the abrogation of present electoral system which has caused many estrangements and fissures within a party.

This stiff competition for preferential votes between the candidates of a same party led to corruption, vote rigging and dissension. The preferential voting system has failed to portray the actual public opinion. It has instead propped up a few candidates who could spend money lavishly.

The proposed electoral reform system is a mix of first past the post system which prevailed in Sri Lanka up to 1978 and the present Proportional Voting system. The people are in a quandary to determine which MP actually represents their constituency under this system and this has led to diminish the co-relation between the MPs and voters.

The salient features of the proposed electoral reforms are cancellation of preferential voting system,introduction of by elections and electronic voting machines and increase of women representation in Parliament.

The by election system is a vital feature in democracy to testify the incumbent Government’s popularity from time to time. The Parliament’s composition should be a mirror of public representation.

The new system enables it to clearly depict the people’s representation in the country’s august assembly. Prof. Peiris said the time has come to conclude the debate and implement the interim committee recommendations.

Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara said certain parties who initially stood up for electoral reforms have now opposed them. Many candidates have fallen to prey of businessmen and racketeers and lost their conscience due to this preferential voting system, he said.

The proposed system aims at constituency based development and there is an MP for every electorate to give an ear to the people’s voice, he said.