By Justice and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s proposed electoral reforms has been interpreted by some as a move to postpone parliamentary elections.
Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha has forwarded a recommendation to the cabinet of ministers to effect reforms as to how the parliament will be constituted. It is proposed that 160 MPs be elected on a first-past-the-post basis and 65 on a Proportional Representative basis.
This proposal was originally made late last year. It is not clear why these proposals are surfacing at this point of time. Anura Kumara Disanayaka of the NPP said that no such proposals could be discussed at this point of time as the Presidential election must be held first as scheduled.
The National People’s Power (NPP) will not allow the government to implement the proposed Constitutional Amendments to introduce a new parliamentary electoral system before the Presidential polls, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.
Speaking at a meeting with the Sri Lankan community in Toronto, Canada, he said the government was making every effort to evade a national election at this juncture as they are purturbed with the predictions that they are going to lose power.
“They are afraid of transfering power to the people.That is why there has been hesitation on elections.The government has now presented a Cabinet Paper to introduce a new electoral system. We will assure you that we will not allow any opportunity for the government to do it before the Presidential election,” he said.
Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha said that the electoral reforms will not apply for the current elections. Many political commentators have pointed out that it is crystal clear that any move to postpone elections will anger the voters.
