Despite the directives given to print the delimitation gazette notification on February 17, more than 80 technical amendments have to be incorporated to the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act to conduct the local government election under the new system, Secretary to the Provincial Councils and Local government Ministry, Kamal Pathmasiri told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
He said the Election Commission has proposed over 80 technical amendments to the Local Authorities Election (amendment) Act, if the elections are to be held under the new system. Therefore, the Ministry has submitted those proposed amendments to the Attorney General through Legal Draftsman Department and they are now processing those amendments. He said with regard to the amending the numbers of councilors in respective local government authority due to the increase in the number of councilors following the introduction of new electoral system, the Ministry had appointed a two member committee to look into these amendments.
“Within another couple of weeks they should come with their recommendations,” the Secretary added.
Under the Local Authorities Elections (amendment) Act, no. 22 of 2012, the election of the councilors to the local government bodies will be done based on the first past the post system and proportional representation system in which 70 percent of it will be determined by the first past the post system and the remaining 30 percent will be determined based on the proportionate system.
Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya told the Sunday Observer that conducting of the election is still impossible until these requirements are fulfilled.
“Until all outstanding issues are addressed the commission’s hands are tied with regard to the conduct of the election”, the Election Commission Chairman added.
“Other than gazetting the Delimitation Committee report the local authorities elections (amendment) act, no. 22 of 2012 needs to be amended. We have pointed out some technical errors in it. Thirdly the number councilors per local government need to be changed. Hence until all outstanding matters are attended to we are not capable to hold the elections” Deshapriya said.
According to the act the number of councilors in each local authority changes amongst other reasons owing to the increasing of female participation up to 25 percent.
“For example the Ambalangoda Urban Council currently has 12 councilors and it will be increased to 16 proportionately and when the female representation ratio is added to it the total number of councilors should be increased to 20 in total,” the Elections Commissioner explained.