Registration of Elections Special Provision Bill:

SC to communicate determination to President, Speaker

Jayantha de Silva

A three Judge Bench of the Supreme Court is to communicate it's determination regarding the Bill titled Registration of Elections Special Provisions Bill filled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa seeking to give franchise to Internally Displaced Persons (ID's) within a day to both the President and the Speaker. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Justice Sathya Hettige and Justice Rohini Marasinghe.

The Bill is in respect of IDP's prior to May 18, 2009 - the day the war ended.

They are to be registered following a process implemented through the respective Gramasevaka. The CJ observed that the IDP's are entitled to their rights. M A Sumanthiran PC submitted that IDP's should be included in the voting registry. He also pointed some shortcomings in the Bill and urged for rectification. He said that he is not against the Bill. DSG A. Obesekara appeared for the Attorney General.