LG Elections Ordinance : Parliament approves amendments | Sunday Observer

LG Elections Ordinance : Parliament approves amendments

10 December, 2017

Parliament yesterday approved an amendment to the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance laying down the procedure for the appointment of members to multi-member wards as well as to remove the inconsistencies between the Sinhala and English drafts of the Act. The Amendment was passed amidst objections from both the JVP and the Joint Opposition who pointed out that such an amendment cannot be passed in the House without a proper debate.

However, the Government was of the view that the amendment was necessary to hold the LG polls and it had to be passed by the House yesterday. Therefore, the amendment to the Bill was put to a vote and was passed with 137 members voting for and 56 against. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament that when a new electoral system is introduced, there are bound to be shortcoming, but it was important to hold the polls and see how the law can be strengthening thereafter. - UK 

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