New voters’ rights will be protected - Min. Secy.

‘Present polls law will not be violated’ :

Nadira Gunatilleke

‘The government will act democratically and give priority to protect the rights of new voters who reach the age of 18 by May 31, 2011 and become eligible to vote in the 2011 local government polls. The present election law will not be amended, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayatilleke told the Daily News yesterday.

Dr Jayatilleke said thousands of new voters will be eligible to vote in the 2011 local government election after May 31, 2011 when they reach the age of 18.

“If the government amends the present election law, those new young voters will not be able to vote in the 2011 LG polls and it will be direct violation of their democratic right to vote,” he said.

‘The government’s main intention is protecting the voters’ democratic rights. The 2011 local government election will be held without changes in the present law or settings.

‘The government has no intention to violate the rights of new young voters by changing the present law and using the 2009 register, he said.

‘Some organizations requested from the government to amend the present election law and hold Local Government polls according to the 2009 list which is not democratic. Local Government polls of 90 Local Government bodies did not take place due to legal cases, ICC World Cup matches played in Sri Lanka and unfinished clearance of landmines in some areas in the north,’ he added.