PAFFREL: If PCs are not wanted they should be abolished through new Constitution

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

The government was duty bound to hold the Provincial Council (PC) elections or, if it is of the view that the PCs are not wanted, it should abolish them through the new Constitution to be introduced, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections ( PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarchchi said.

Hettiarchchi said that the PCs carried out a large number of projects and rendered service to the people. The Election Commission statistics showed that only 0.3%, out of the funds allocated for these councils was spent on councillors and officials, he said.

“The previous administration didn’t formulate the laws necessary for holding the PC elections under the new electoral system. They passed a new Act but delayed the delimitation process. The current government can either fix the issues and hold the elections.

The PAFFREL Executive Director said that the Governors now held all the powers and it was not a healthy sign.

“We might have a lot of problems with politicians, but we can vote them out, if we get fed up with them. But we can’t do anything against unelected officials and appointees of the President.”