Public members, political parties, organisations, and interested parties are now invited to submit written submissions to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to Make Recommendations on Election Law Reforms.
The PCoI stated in a press release that it will take written suggestions or viewpoints on the following:
• Increasing the representation of women and youth
• Reducing the period between the time of declaration of an election and the release of results after concluding the election
• Providing opportunity for electronic voting
• Providing facilities for Sri Lankans living overseas to vote in elections
• Enabling a person to contest elections for both Provincial Councils and Parliament and represent both if elected
• Providing opportunity for postal voting for voters serving in Public Corporations/ State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)/ Private Sector who are engaged in election-related services on election day
• Proportional representation, proposals on appropriate mixed election system reflecting the pluralistic nature of the society
• Strengthening the multi-party system
• Reducing the role of money in politics and prevention of policy capture
• Leadership’s accountability to political party members
• The role of political parties in strengthening national unity
Furthermore, the PCoI is soliciting opinions and suggestions regarding the ways in which political parties and independent organisations ought to utilise the media, establish connections for conducting public affairs, register as political parties, and behave in a way that is trustworthy and answerable to the general public.
Written suggestions or opinions shall be sent to the Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Make Recommendations for Election Law Reforms at No. 21, SEMA Building, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 01, via email by December 15, 2023, at the latest.
The PCoI stated that any personal data, including contact information, that was mentioned in the written suggestions and opinions would be kept private.
On October 15, 2023, a nine-member PCoI led by former Chief Justice Priyasad Gerard Dep was established with the mission of gathering data, conducting investigations, requesting clarification, and reporting on proposals for amending election rules after reviewing the current legislation.
It is composed of Senanayake Alisandaralage; Suntharam Arumainayaham; Nalin Jayantha Abeysekara, PC; and Rajitha Naveen. Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem, Christopher Senaratna Perera, Sagarica Delgoda, and Esther Sriyani Vitharanage Deepani and Nimalka Fernando Rachel Rodrigo.
