Following Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faiszer Musthapha’s assurance in court that he would Gazette the electoral wards in conformity with recommendations by the Delimitation Review Committee within a month, there is now some certainty about the possibility of holding the local authorities’ election this year. 

Earlier, the delay on the part of the minister was cited as the obstacle for election authorities to proceed with conducting the polls which is already overdue by two long years. 

In this backdrop, the Elections Commission (EC) called for a meeting with political party representatives, the poll observing groups and Minister Mustapha, to discuss the current status of affairs in terms of the election and the way forward. 

At the meeting, the minister confidently stated that he would Gazette the electoral wards within the period mentioned in court, thereby instilling hope in the minds of those aspiring to have the election as early as possible. 

In terms of the new election law adopted vis-à-vis local government polls, the authorities concerned are unable to call for the election in the absence of electoral wards announced in a Gazette notification. Once it is done, the Commission will face no legal impediment for the declaration of the election and forging ahead in accordance with the provisions of the law. 

For the first time in Sri Lankan history, the election is to be conducted under a new system; a mix of the First Past the Post System and the Proportional Representation System. It will be an experimental exercise for electoral reforms to the national elections -- a topic being discussed at length by the Steering Committee in the Constitution-making process. 

EC to consult AG on lacunas in election law

During the meeting, the gathering discussed about some lacunas in the new law that created practical difficulties to the smooth flow of the election. These legal loopholes need to be rectified by enacting fresh legislation in the form of amendments. However, it is practically difficult to secure the passage of new legislations within a short span of time after a broad consultative process. Hence, Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya decided on the next available option; to consult the Attorney General (AG) in order to find a way out of it (for the time being). He announced at the meeting that he would seek the advice of the AG and work out some redress. 

More women’s representation sought in political decision-making

Women’s representation in politics was yet another factor that drew the attention of the meeting. Mr. Deshapriya, as a strategy to increase women representation in politics, mooted the idea that women should be given placements in decision-making bodies of the political parties. Then, he argued that such woman decision-makers would encourage the nomination of woman candidates as well. 
“When women are calling the shots in the parties, it will be a boost to women’s representation,” he said. 

Currently, women representation is low in the political party hierarchies of the country. Alongside, there are parties headed by women.  As a novel concept, Mr. Deshapriya sought to make arrangements to make way for youth, who have completed 18 years but are not included in the annual electoral register, to cast their votes at the next election. 

The electoral register is revised annually. It happens by the middle of each year. Anyone completing 18 years after the revision process is denied voting rights until they are formally enumerated the next time. 

Further, Mr. Deshapriya proposed to prepare supplementary lists for such youth left out of the official enumeration process, to vote at the next election to the local authorities. He sought the assistance of political parties to move ahead with it. 
However, the Elections Commission has undertaken a lot of work for the generation of enthusiasm in politics among the youth. 

JHU disputes Asoka Peiris’ impartiality

At the meeting, JHU representative Nishantha Warnasinghe complained against Delimitation Review Committee Chairman Asoka Peiris getting on to the stage of a political party.  He said Mr. Peiris’ integrity suffered in this manner, and therefore the credibility of his report was questionable. He repeatedly questioned this matter at the meeting. 

“Mr. Peiris has switched his loyalty to the JVP. It is questionable because we expected him to be independent and impartial,” he said.  However, Mr. Peiris had not been called for the meeting on that day.  Later, Mr. Deshapriya and Mr. Warnasinghe exchanged views on media guidelines to be followed during election times. 

All in all, there were indications that the election could be conducted before June 30 this year. However, fresh impediments could arise or be placed as the minor and minority parties are already against the new electoral system. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Democratic People’s Front and some upcountry political parties have taken a common stand in this regard. They fear that the minorities who live scattered among the others would get reduced representation under the new system. 

President proposes Cabinet reshuffle 

Amidst certain confusions and contradictions within the government, President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have proposed a Cabinet reshuffle. 

However, according to sources close to the President, it is to be done only after the first half of the President’s term is over. The initial understanding was to determine portfolios reserved separately for the two parties, the United National Party (UNP) and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). As a result, if a UNP MP is stripped of current Cabinet responsibilities, another MP from the same party has to be picked for it. The President, elected for a period of five years, will complete his first half in office by the middle of this year, and at that time, attention would be paid for possible alternation of Cabinet posts. This is an idea mooted by the President to the UNP. 

The President has given thought for it after complaints and observations about lack of cohesion and consensus in decision-making. Some ministers are distraught over the trend, and raised it with the President on several occasions. 

JO seeks high-profile candidates for PC polls

The joint opposition (JO), which is the Mahinda Rajapaksa group of the UPFA, launched yet another rally in Nugegoda last week with the sole aim of forming a political force to oust the government. It is not ready to align with the UPFA faction in the government under the current circumstances despite overtures being made. 

Apart from contesting the next local government election, the JO contemplates plans for elections to the three provincial councils due this year. It is planning to field some high-profile candidates at the elections to the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils. There is a strong possibility of an MP or two resigning from Parliament to contest the election. 

JO MP Prasanna Ranatunga was in for a rude shock at the Nugegoda rally when he found that his former local government and provincial council members could not be accommodated on stage. As a mark of protest, he chose to stand with those members offstage despite being prodded by his colleagues to return to his allotted seat on stage. 

Besides, Kurunegala District MP Johnston Fernando was deceived to believe that Mr. Rajapaksa had arrived at the rally when MP Janaka Bandara Thennakoon arrived in advance in a bullet-proof vehicle. 

Mr. Fernando was addressing the rally at the time 
Mr. Bandara disembarked from the vehicle. He then paused for a second and wanted to make some remarks, but suddenly realised it was not Mr. Rajapaksa. 
“I was deceived. Only the dummy has arrived,” he scoffed.