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Last Updated : 2024-05-12 11:30:00
10 October 2023 06:11 am - 40 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The government has moved to change the parliamentary electoral system triggering fears in political circles whether it is yet another attempt to postpone the national elections including the Presidential Election pending next year, Daily Mirror learns.
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has submitted a Cabinet resolution seeking approval to introduce a new system to elect members to Parliament under a mixed system. According to the resolution, the electorates will return 160 members to the House whereas another 65 seats will be reserved under proportional representation.
The Cabinet subcommittee is to be formed to proceed with work in this regard. The need for a change in the current electoral system based on proportional representation with preferential voting has come under sharp criticism because it has led to corruption, political skulduggery, interparty and intra-party violence in politics.
A parliamentary select committee was appointed way back during the 2002/2004 government led by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the then Prime Minister. It was headed by current Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as an opposition MP at that time.
Asked how serious this time the government in changing the electoral system, Minister Rajapakshe said, “That is why the Cabinet subcommittee is appointed to look into the resolution I presented,”
However, the opposition parties fear whether this is a tactic to postpone the national elections under the cover of electoral system reforms. They justify their fear on the basis that the election to the provincial councils have been delayed since 2017 over a legal snag that arose from the new electoral system introduced for it.
Meanwhile, SLPP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa said he never discussed electoral reforms or postponement of any election during his recent meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said only former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike and Maithripala Sirisena talked about the need to change the Presidential Election systems during their campaign periods in the past. (Kelum Bandara)
Dream Tuesday, 10 October 2023 07:24 AM
Any thing is possible. 95% of parliamentarian will not be elected in future.
Neel Ahmed Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:02 AM
Yes, that will can happen, mainly where is this Dealdasa involve everything will be for turn to betterment of the Ranil Rajapak Company. In other way they all know this election will be their last and no more Pohttuwa and SJB.Therefore they do every afford to postpone the election.
Chandra Tuesday, 10 October 2023 07:34 AM
Good move. But 65 under PR is too many. It should not exceed 25. Why not considered total of 185, with 165 electoral first past the post, and the remainder 20 under PR. The way the scrum for ministerial appointments will also reduce. Say that only electoral appointees could hold cabinet and other ministerial positions (those appointed directly by the people). That's the only way we could start reintroducing talent back into parliament. Also only electoral appointees could be considered to fill vacancies for the president. Will the assembly have what it takes to bring in such genuine reforms.
Soothsayer Tuesday, 10 October 2023 07:48 AM
It is obvious elections will not be held in the foreseeable future. All sorts of excuses / reasons will be peddled out to the public. The real issue is SLPP, UNP, SLFP have little chance of forming even a coalition government among themselves. As for the sitting president who came by the backdoor to this seat is his position has long expired in the minds of the public.
Ara Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:09 AM
RW the mentally ill dictotor, need to get rid of this man
Neel Tuesday, 10 October 2023 02:56 PM
Yes, RW is mentally retired and suffering from the mentally disorder that never can cure. Unfortunately only saver of Pohttuwa. What ever account we have to chase away him.
Lakshman Athukorala Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:31 AM
The proposal is a very good one. We need MPs responsible to the electorate. Proportionate/preferential voting lead to corruption. The heading of the news is misleading. We should not consider every change is done with an ulterior motive.
Lalith Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:46 AM
Why not? Do we really want the party heirarchies stuffing the list prioritising thus and uneducated goons? Do we not want to know our local representative, and be able to kick them put the next time around if their promises are not fulfilled? It will reduc ethe cost of campaingng where one campaigns for a small local area only, and hopefully avoid the need for candidates to be bankrolled and then be indebted to return favours? It will also enable good candidates, including independents, to be able to compete with the lower electioneering costs by needing to campaign in a much samller area. We will have a better knowledge and capabilty of the candidates. Election reformation is a must to change the political culture, attract talent, and for the electorate to make more informed decisions on their local representative. Elections reforms is a must. Anyone who stands against it needs to be questioned.
Sambo Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:33 AM
Should never ever happen.
Ama Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:34 AM
The DICTATOR very well knows that he cannot win any election. So adopting JR'S policy.
BUSHEL Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:49 AM
The government has introduced the Postponement of Election course ending the lesson with no elections. Now the postponing word is triggered creating the doubt among people so it becomes the talk in the media and Ranil getting people to succumb to human behavioural pattern first Anger, then Denial, and finally Acceptance. However pressure from geopolitics cannot be ruled out as geopolitical aspect has become so tough and crucial that country has to choose one of the bitter options available for the benefit of the country. Oh..here we go... God bless Sri Lanka
Charles Jansz Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:03 AM
Another gimmick by another name to stifle the voice of the people? Democracy in intensive care !
The incompetent president Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:06 AM
Ranil had better apply for refugee status in as many countries as possible or learn to swim real fast.
Nilmini Welivita Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:08 AM
Great news, only President Wickramasinghe with the assistance of our national heroes the Rajapaksa family can run the country properly.
Ram Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:20 AM
Cabinet sub committees, Commissions, etc are appointed to investigate/advice on many matters but we are yet to see an outcome that suits our country. These have become delaying tactics
YYT Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:23 AM
If the elections are postponed, no doubt another Aragalaya-2 will start severely to chase the President and the dirty ruling party SLPP. No other options.
Will not happen until Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:55 PM
No, Aragalaya will not start as long as BASL the cancer on society is eating away, and of course one of the Chief Prelates was against the last aragalaya too. Sobitha Thera then tried to cause a new aragalaya for charges put on him by CEB, but the public saw his duplicity and will never support him. Next aragalaya may happen like how HAMAS attack Israel, and then it will up to the public to fight off the 300,000 military who will support the government.
Prof. M.D. Ananda Wickramage Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:27 AM
No need to change the electoral system Wijedasa. You guys got the taste of earning illegal money by postponing elections, but your life will be under question, mind it.
R/P. Laxman Fernando [Attorney-at-Law] from Colombo Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:31 AM
Next year, the Presidential Election should take place and following that the General Elections. If Wijedasa listens to Ranil and make any changes then SriLanka will have to face Israel, Palestine war.
No such war will happen Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:56 PM
Why you think there will be war along ethnic lines against in Sri Lanka. That is complete madness. The government has 300,000 to quell any unrest, and it will be far more brutal compared to what Israel can do against Gaza. And that's to the Sinhala people who dare rebel too.
AGR. Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:34 AM
Ranil is a political SriLankan Hitler.
Musthan - Trishaw driver (Slave Island) Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:34 AM
This alert came very much early and enabled us to make preparations to burn the rest of the SLPP MPs. houses and left out extra houses of previous ministers. Thanks, Mr. Wijedasa - first we will start with you.
B Perera Tuesday, 10 October 2023 10:15 AM
" According to the resolution, the electorates will return 160 members to the House whereas another 65 seats will be reserved under proportional representation". Stop at 160 members. What have we achieved by increasing former 160 to 225?
Prof. H.T. Janz Tuesday, 10 October 2023 10:45 AM
Mr. Wijedasa, for heaven sake, touch your conscience and ask what you are planning to do is right or wrong. Don't be a power hunger man like Ranil as he knows that this will be his final chance to sit in that Prestigious Chair. You too the same, stop your nonsense please.
Volker Metzger Tuesday, 10 October 2023 10:46 AM
What does this government aim to do with a possible change to the electoral system, especially now that there are serious (!?) efforts to hold national and presidential elections!? Is it really about eliminating the weak points of the current electoral system, e.g. corruption and political fraud, as she justifies! Highly unlikely!!! It can be assumed, as has often happened, that this is an electoral maneuver, because what you want to eliminate will not be achieved that way! Corruption and political fraud have other, deeper, systemic reasons habitualized in the behavior of many politicians and the "elitist" class! Ranil Wickremesigne knows about his impending disastrous defeat and as a man with a sense of power he wants to prevent it or at least postpone it!!! But if you follow the mood of the people, and it is exceptionally constant over months, then no power in the world will save him!
Nihal S Tuesday, 10 October 2023 10:47 AM
Dream, "95% of parliamentarian will not be elected in future". Are you dreaming? Unfortunately, this will not be the case in Sri Lanka - who vote for the iron sheets, latrine slab, bottle of arrack etc., not for the country future.
Volker Metzger Tuesday, 10 October 2023 10:47 AM
His time as president is up, he should familiarize himself with this idea! Then his final farewell to the presidency will be easier!
Angry Voters Tuesday, 10 October 2023 10:53 AM
Ranil Rajapakse Govt. is trying to create anarchy to remain in power with the help of brutal force.
Tronald Dump Tuesday, 10 October 2023 12:13 PM
Another lunatic running the asylum
Volker Metzger Tuesday, 10 October 2023 12:30 PM
What does this government aim to do with a possible change to the electoral system, especially now that there are serious (!?) efforts to hold national and presidential elections!? Is it really about eliminating the weak points of the current electoral system, e.g. corruption and political fraud, as she justifies! Highly unlikely!!! It can be assumed, as has often happened, that this is an electoral maneuver, because what you want to eliminate will not be achieved that way! Corruption and political fraud have other, deeper, systemic reasons habitualized in the behavior of many politicians and the "elitist" class! Ranil Wickremesigne knows about his impending disastrous defeat and as a man with a sense of power he wants to prevent it or at least postpone it!!! But if you follow the mood of the people, and it is exceptionally constant over months, then no power in the world will save him!
Volker Metzger Tuesday, 10 October 2023 12:31 PM
His time as president is up, he should familiarize himself with this idea! Then his final farewell to the presidency will be easier!
Cherath Tuesday, 10 October 2023 12:45 PM
Ranil is pushing his luck far beyond his job description. How can an appointee (yes, not elected) President for an INTERIM period be allowed to fiddle with democratic, constitution corner stones? As he has done, he might cancel/postpone the general and Presidential elections too, saying: '..until we have enough funds'. That could mean in 3, 5 or 10 years. Who knows...? Mother of all uprisings awaits.
DOT Tuesday, 10 October 2023 01:06 PM
Warmly welcome to an another PS type of Conundrum!
ROSH Tuesday, 10 October 2023 01:29 PM
Time has come to giving power to minorities to run the country
Proud Boy Tuesday, 10 October 2023 02:23 PM
Anything is possible with RW. He trivialized the people’s franchise when he called politics a blood a sport a game for the shrewd and not for genuine public representatives. Despite such brave statements he is a coward to face an election knowing very well what truly awaits him.
Good if elections are postponed because the public accepts wickedness Tuesday, 10 October 2023 07:16 PM
Only reason election can be postponed is if government can get away with it. If there is no fight in the public against further illegal activity and wrongdoing by government. Already LG elections put off, so government can stay in power ten more years by putting of parliament elections too. It is the public fault if it happens, because they do not force revolution. Which is only way forward.
Patcitz Tuesday, 10 October 2023 09:28 PM
Then, it is high time, that the people must be taken to the streets to begin a US-instigated like ARAGALAYA the way they ousted Gotayabaya Rajapaksa.
Next change will have the revolution Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:58 PM
The US revolution was so strong the British lost. Same with the Irish revolution which caused British to give up the territory right next door while they kept military control of weaker Ceylon. It will take strong will like US Revolution people, or Irish freedom fighters to fight against the 300,000 military the government has. Of course a coup can make the government change very quickly.
Crooked Justice Minister. Wednesday, 11 October 2023 11:28 AM
DEALDASA SEEMS TO BE BEHIND ALL THESE NASTY PROPOSALS !
Funny election gimmick Wednesday, 11 October 2023 04:18 PM
Everyone here wants early election, as if we ever had an honest election! We were carried away by the bogus defeat of LTTE, by a singing Cobra and then the Easter bomb blast by an elusive ISIS who never heard of Sri Lanka. Even churches conducted political sermons on Sundays. What Next? A disco dancing frog to the tune of foreign citizens holding dual citizenship?
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