Proposed new election system to be submitted soon -Urban Development Minister

Asela Kuruluwansa and Indika Polkotuwa

A combination of the first past the post and proportional representative system will be introduced in place of the existing election system for the Provincial Council and General Elections, Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardhana told the Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter, the Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera when he called on the Chief Prelate on Wednesday.

The Minister further told the Mahanayake Thera that the new Act regarding the registration and withdrawal of the political parties will be formulated after obtaining suggestions from the Elections Commissioner. This new Bill is expected to be submitted soon for Cabinet approval.

”The proposed new election system to be implemented for the Local Government Authorities was submitted for Cabinet approval,” the Minister said.

Under this system 70 percent of candidates will be elected through the first past the post system and 30 percent under the proportional representative system .

The Chief Prelate said it was timely that the Government had taken a decision to scrap the present electoral system. It has many shortcomings. People in some electorates have to undergo many hardships as their representatives are not being appointed in some electorates.