House Leader urges commitment of all parties to bring quick electoral reforms

By Saman Indrajith

The commitment of all political parties was needed for a quick change over to a mixed electoral system, Leader of the House, Dinesh Gunawardena, told Parliament yesterday. 

Speaking during an adjournment debate in the House, yesterday, Gunawardena said it was the government’s belief that there should be an electoral system, under which a majority of MPs should be elected under the first-past-the post system and the rest on proportional representation system. “We have already implemented a mixed electoral system at the local government level. It is essential to extend such a system to Parliament.” 

He said that the present Election Commission had drawn criticism because of one member of it who referred certain matters to judiciary without the consent of the other members. 

“A number of free and fair elections was held in this country even before an independent election commission was set up under the 19th Amendment. An election commission could always seek the advice of the judiciary.”