New Bill will allow displaced people living abroad to vote

13 May 2017 10:47 am - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government is reported to be preparing legislation, which if enacted, will enable persons displaced prior to 2009 and living elsewhere can vote at elections despite their names not being included in the electoral registers.

The Registration of Electors (Special Provisions) Bill will exempt internally displaced persons from the requirements of the Registrations of the Electors Act.

The bill has been placed on the Order Paper of Parliament at the moment. The constitutionality of the bill has now been challenged in the Supreme Court. The petition says the Bill appears to be drafted and presented to Parliament with ulterior motives, including permitting the registration of persons living overseas.

It can be done by producing a certificate from the Grama Niladhari.

The provisions of the Bill will enable them to come to Sri Lanka purely for the purpose of getting their names entered in the Electoral Registers of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, without having any permanent residency in Sri Lanka, although Registration of Electors Act No.44 of 1980 requires for the purpose of registration such persons to be “ordinarily resident in any electoral district on the first day of June in any year”, unless absent for reason of employment. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 5

Appu Saturday, 13 May 2017 06:34 AM

The effort already visible from the word if enacted. If it was a bill for their new cars confirmed can pass via DM Android App

CITIZENSHIP Saturday, 13 May 2017 07:21 PM

HOW SURE WILL THE GOVT BE WHETHER (a) those abroad enjoy citizenship in the foreign country they are already in. (b) Cannot such displaced persons whilst being granted citizenship in the foreign country hold a Sri Lankan passport (although illegal to do so).

displaced ? Saturday, 13 May 2017 07:34 PM

Define "displaced persons" very carefully. Most of them tore up their passports on entering other countries and sort

Nish Saturday, 13 May 2017 08:01 PM

Ridiculous. You should directly face the consequences of your vote. Otherwise you could vote to destabilize the country and still not face the consequences.

DING DONG. Sunday, 14 May 2017 10:25 AM

The same opportunity should be given to people who work abroad. via DM Android App

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New Bill will allow displaced people living abroad to vote

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