Election watchdog, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Election has directed a letter to the Chairman of the Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, focusing attention on electoral reforms for the local authorities elections.
The letter states several matters reportedly discussed by the Select Committee disregarded the fundamental of a democratic representation system.
Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi said electing public representatives based on proportional representation will be challenged if divisional votes are increased to 70 percent, the minimum vote percentage is considered as 2.5 percent and bonus seats are introduced.
He added it could also remove smaller parties from the political flow.
Hettiarachchi noted reducing the quota for women is also a violation of political rights of the 52 percent of females in the country.
The Executive Director of PAFFREL added it will damage the country’s reputation within the international community.
