LG elections: Old system, if all parties agree - Kiriella | Sunday Observer

LG elections: Old system, if all parties agree - Kiriella

4 December, 2016

Leader of the House and Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday that the forthcoming Local Government elections could be held under the old preferential voting system if all political parties give their consent for it.

Responding to a query by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Minister said that the preferential voting system thus could be used for one last time.

MP Dissanayake said the new electoral system should be included in the new constitution. “Otherwise, postponing the elections till the day the SLFP finds a solution for its internal conflict is similar to gambling with the people’s right to vote,” he said.

He said that there is a need to safeguard new voting system from the political ideologies. If the Government introduces a new voting system without doing away these political ideologies, there would be another bloodshed in the country.

The Government has no option but to hold the Local Government elections under the old system until new system is established with the consent of all parties. A new clause can be added to the new electoral act and hold the elections for once under the old system.

UPFA Matara District MP Dullas Alahapperuma speaking on behalf of the Joint Opposition, said he also agrees with the request made by the JVP leader. UNP Kandy MP Ananda Aluthgamage said that his party would also prefer to hold the elections under the Proportional Representation system. 

 

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