PAFFREL urges Govt. to expedite Provincial Council elections

Colombo, Sept. 14 (Daily Mirror) - The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has called on the government to take immediate steps to hold the long-delayed Provincial Council elections, stressing that the continued delay has undermined democratic rights.

In a letter addressed to Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abhayaratne, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi highlighted the importance of restoring the Provincial Council system as a representative democratic structure rather than leaving it under bureaucratic administration.

Hettiarachchi said that the right to vote is part of the sovereign power of the people as enshrined in Article 3 of the Constitution, and warned that prolonged delays have weakened public trust in the democratic processes.

He further referred to a recent statement by Minister Bimal Ratnayake, who said that the Provincial Council elections will be held in the first few months of next year. 

PAFFREL urged the Minister to ensure this pledge is realised without further postponement.

The organisation also proposed that the polls be conducted under the previous system, with a minor parliamentary amendment to facilitate the process. 

PAFFREL added that incorporating a nomination quota for women within the amendment would advance the objectives of the 2017 reforms to the Provincial Council Election system.