The United National Party raises concerns about the reduction in the number of new registered voters.
General Secretary of the UNP Palitha Range Bandara and several UNP Working Committee members met the Election Commission today to discuss the reduction in the number of new voters who have been registered for this year.
According to statistics less than 50% of new voters have been able to register on the electoral list. During the meeting with the Election Commission today, Palitha Range Bandara raised the matter and requested a solution at the earliest.
Speaking to media after the meeting, he said former Prime Minister DS Senanayake, along with gaining independence in 1948, ensured the voting rights of all Sri Lankans.
He said the process of including names in the voter register was introduced in 1960 and Grama Niladhari officers were used for the process.
The UNP General Secretary said since Grama Niladhari officers requested an additional payment for the voter registering process, authorities instead introduced an online system to register new voters.
He said due to the introduction of the online system, the number of new registrations reduced considerably.
UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara noted that the process has violated the basic rights of the people and therefore requested officials to safeguard the rights of Sri Lankans.
