Signs of local government elections in January and Early provincial elections
Aug 22, 2017
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources had informed the Media that following the Gazette Notice that will be published between the period of October and November, related to the Local Government Act, the Local Government Elections could be held in December or January 2018 with the Government hoping to have the Act passed in Parliament in September.
Local Government Elections have not held within the due period and delayed by two years. The reason preventing Elections was the proposal to replace the current system of proportional representation with a new and alternate system of representation. A new delimitation process of Wards for Local Councils was proposed. Accordingly Jayalath Ravi Committee was set up and whilst the process was under way, in view of complaints from the public and various parties that the delimitation process was not properly done, the present Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government by a Gazette notification stating that there was a need to establish a Sub Committee to examine the complaints did appoint a Committee under Asoka Peiris in end November 2015. The Committee completed the task entrusted in January 2017 Gazatted in February 2017.
On inquiry the Elections Commissioner has stated, that on passing of the Amendments to the Local Government Act by the Parliament, addressing deficiencies ,Elections could be held. He has further stated that if the 20th Amendment to the Constitution relevant to Provincial Councils is not passed in Parliament he will take action to duly hold Provincial Council Elections at the proper time on the expiry of its’ 5 year term. At the same time the Commissioner has gone on to say that the Parliament which has the power to change the Constitution and the Judiciary which has the power to interpret it, together if they state that Elections should be held, that he would do so.
The term of three Provincial Councils namely North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern ends on 2nd October this year. When the 5 year term of a Provincial Council ends the Council is considered dissolved and the Election Commissioner should call for new Election. But the Government has presented a Cabinet Paper as the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, to empower Parliament with the right to prevent the calling of Elections for a Provincial Council by the Election Commissioner thereby extending the term of a Provincial Council. If the proposed amendment is passed in Parliament the term of all three Provincial Councils could be extended beyond 2nd October. The Government displays the motive of the 20th Amendment is to enable holding of all Provincial Council Elections on the same day for greater democracy. The Combined Opposition however accuses the Government that the actual motive of the amendment is to postpone the Provincial Council Elections. The provinces centered around Anuradhapura and Ratnapura Districts are considered a strong vote base for Mahinda Rajapakse as such Combined Opposition accuses the Government that it planning to avoid elections till 2019 for fear of defeat.
