By The Pulseline News Desk
A special discussion on holding the provincial council elections without further delay and the electoral system to be used for the polls was held in Colombo recently, with the participation of political parties and civil society organisations.
The discussion, organised under the leadership of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), was attended by party secretaries, political party representatives and representatives of election monitoring organisations.
During the meeting, participants held lengthy discussions on the importance of conducting the provincial council elections, the reasons for their prolonged postponement and the steps that should be taken to hold the elections promptly.
Out of the 42 opposition political parties and monitoring organisations that participated in the discussion, all parties except one signed a joint statement. It was also decided to submit the statement to the Parliamentary Select Committee and the government.
According to the joint statement, the parties agreed to hold the long-delayed provincial council elections under the electoral system that existed prior to the enactment of Act No. 17 of 2017.
They also agreed to continue implementing that system until a final decision is reached by the Parliamentary Select Committee.
In addition, the parties expressed agreement to ensure 25 percent representation for women and youth on a voluntary basis.
Among those who attended the event were Talatha Atukorale, General Secretary of the United National Party (UNP); MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB); and former MP Sagara Kariyawasam, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), along with several other political representatives.
Representatives of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi represented by M. A. Sumanthiran, as well as Mano Ganesan, C. V. Wigneswaran and former Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya also participated in the discussion.
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