PAFFREL urges govt. to stop “technical excuses” and hold PC elections

-It has been over 14 years since some provinces last held elections

-"This is the same way previous governments continued to use these 'committee systems' as a tactic to delay elections"

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Colombo, May 7 (Daily Mirror) - The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi has issued a stern call to the government to stop utilizing "technical excuses" and committee appointments as a means to delay Provincial Council (PC) elections.

Speaking to the media, Hettiarachchi said that it has been over 14 years since some provinces last held elections. He specifically cited the Eastern Province, which last went to the polls in 2012, and the Uva Province in 2014, leaving these provinces under the sole administration of Governors rather than elected public officials.

The PAFFREL Executive Director criticised the administration for not acting with sufficient urgency, stating that it is falling short of its own stated policy commitments. He said that the government’s election manifesto had clearly pledged to hold both Local Government and Provincial Council elections within a one-year period, but this commitment has not been fulfilled.

However, despite over a year and a half passing under the current leadership, Hettiarachchi said that there is still no visible preparation or clear timeline for the polls, he said.

"This is the same way previous governments continued to use these 'committee systems' as a tactic to delay elections. They used 'electoral reforms' as a strategy for postponement. At this moment, it was reported that the government has appointed yet another committee—this time regarding other electoral reforms apart from the Provincial Council system. Over the last 15 years, enough committee reports have already been piled up, containing the views of political parties, civil organizations, and the citizens of this country regarding necessary electoral reforms. Therefore, what the government should be doing is passing these amendments immediately. This is why we are requesting the government to stop further delays caused by these committees and to swiftly enact the necessary legislation by bringing the already prepared draft bills to the attention of Parliament," Hettiarachchi said.