PSC on electoral reforms: Anti-crossover laws, expansion of NL, among proposals made by parties not represented in Parliament

By Saman Indrajith 

Six political parties currently not represented in Parliament presented their views before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Law Reforms on 28 July.

General Secretary of the Liberal Party Kamal Nissanka said his party was opposed to the district proportional system, but that the national list system should remain. Nissanka suggested that when electing the 225 members of Parliament, 160 be elected through popular vote and 65 MPs from the national list.

Chairman of the Tamil Social Democratic Party (TSDP), K Wigneswaran, told the committee that the 1.5 million people who left the country due to the 30-year war should be given the opportunity to vote. The TSDP told the committee that the women’s quota should be increased by 30%. The quota should also apply to Parliament, Provincial Councils and Local Government Authorities, the party said. 

The United Peace Alliance (UPA) told the PSC that legislation should be enacted to hold the elections on schedule and to prevent postponement of polls. The UPA also pointed out that candidates should hand over their assets and liabilities declaration to the Elections Commission without delay.

 Addressing the committee, Sinhaladeepa Jathika Peramuna said MPs should be prevented from crossing over. Legislation should focus on stripping MPs of their seats if they cross over, representatives of the party said.

Commenting on the participation of these parties at the Committee, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said their views too should be heeded.

 She said that steps should be taken to increase female candidates at elections.

The Minister told the committee that due to the preferential voting system, it was difficult for women to contest. Women often entered politics because they had a family background.

 Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, who also spoke before the Committee, pointed out that if elections were held under the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system, a lot of groups would be left out. It was important for a democracy to hear the voices of all groups, he said

  The Committee, appointed to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system, meets under the chairmanship of the Leader of the House Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

 The Committee will meet for four days next month, Secretary to the Committee, Chief of Staff and the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said.

 Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, MPs Mano Ganesan, Madura Vithanage and Sagara Kariyawasam also participated. In addition, former Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, officials of the Election Commission as well as officials of the Attorney General’s Department also attended the PSC proceedings.