PC polls delayed due to lack of consensus on electoral system: PM

4 July 2018 08:42 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed Parliament today that Provincial Council Elections were delayed as political parties had been unable to come to an agreement on the electoral system.

He told Parliament that he had discussed with political parties, Chairman of the Elections

Commission and the Speaker regarding the matter and added that political party leaders had been unable to reach a consensus on the electoral system.

"Some leaders were of the opinion that election should be held under the old system, temporarily while the others were yet to take a decision," he said.

In response to a question raised by Joint Opposition MP Dallas Allahapperuma, he said there were shortcomings of the recently enacted electoral system for the Local Government bodies and added that it could lead to unstable administration in Provincial Councils as experienced in the most of the LG bodies.

The Premier said an amendment should be brought to the electoral system if needed before the debate on the delimitation report.

Responding to a question by MP Allahapperuma whether the Government had a plan to postpone the elections indefinitely, the Prime Minister said he did not want to postpone the elections and said they would meet the party leaders soon.

Mr Wickremesinghe said he could not take a decision on the electoral system on his own and stressed the need to have an agreement with all parties.

Meanwhile, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said he also had discussed the matter with party leaders but they could not come to an agreement on the electoral system and added that the matter could be discussed during the adjournment debate on Friday. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 15

Saman Wednesday, 04 July 2018 09:25 PM

Not because of you are going to humiliate ?

Citizen Wednesday, 04 July 2018 09:42 PM

The only reason for delay is a looming crushing defeat.

Shawn Wednesday, 04 July 2018 09:53 PM

Not only that government parties have a forbia for elections, that's mainly because inability to prove misdeeds of MR,inability to do something that people are happy and appropriate,proved involvement in bond scam by UNP hireachy and now due unfortunate speech by that mad women ,LTTE sympathizer Wijekala

Judaris Wednesday, 04 July 2018 10:03 PM

Ohoma Yan, Ohoma Yan

Waco Wednesday, 04 July 2018 10:57 PM

RW you as the Prime Minister should have planned and arranged well ahead in time. If you can not pre-plan specially elections, you are not fit to be the PM of Sri Lanka.I feel this is a man made situation to postpone the PC election.

Mbappe Wednesday, 04 July 2018 11:06 PM

I hope same won't happen for 2020 election. We are fedup with your talks now.

Eesh Wednesday, 04 July 2018 11:07 PM

So will you stop selling Mattala airport to India since there is no consensus on it too?

Cleo Wednesday, 04 July 2018 11:08 PM

The tricks he played inside the party is now been worked on the country. Imagine the noise if Mahinda had done this?

Sunil Thursday, 05 July 2018 04:37 AM

This is just a lame excuse to postpone the Provincial Council elections, knowing very well what the outcome would be. (It will be far worse than the LG elections, taking into consideration the performance of a sordid regime that is fast deteriorating.) How the elections should be held are clearly shown in the constitution. Act accordingly. Do not deprive the people of their democratic rights.

ravin Thursday, 05 July 2018 05:49 AM

Get in to old system where the integrity and credibility of the candidate were highlighted. Ignore all idiots who oppose because they are the same whose only intention is to make money from every corner where they see.

Citizen Thursday, 05 July 2018 05:53 AM

Polls delayed because govt heading for another crushing defeat.

Waco Thursday, 05 July 2018 06:41 AM

RW, just pack-up and go home, otherwise people will force you to go home. In-efficient , in-capable passenger.Now going to get involve Wijayakala' s matter. You will not be able to do any thing. Police and the AG must handle this case.

Kasun Thursday, 05 July 2018 09:42 AM

Better to have a change in the ministry and party officials after loosing that next election

Waco Thursday, 05 July 2018 11:50 AM

RW, please start planing from now onward for the 2020 Presidential Election. People will not have patience to accept your lame excuses To delay the 2020, election.

Vernon Thursday, 05 July 2018 01:26 PM

Electoral system should not be decided by political parties. It should be for the benefit of the pubic and not for benefit of political parties. No wonder there cannot be consensus among the political parties.

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PC polls delayed due to lack of consensus on electoral system: PM

Comments - 15

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