‘LANKANS UNAWARE OF ELECTORAL CHANGES’

The South Asians for Human Rights ( SAHR) organization stated that the Sri Lankan citizens were unaware of the changes in the electoral system and its implications on the exercise of franchise that was brought forward by the Local Government Authorities l (Amendment) Bill.

The organization releasing ‘Parliamentary Watch Sri Lanka’ report for the third quarter (October- December 2010) earlier this month, said the bill provided significant powers to

The report highlighted several important points and also noted that the Northern Provincial Council had not been consulted about the formulation of the bill although it was a requirement to consult all Provincial Councils Political parties or independent groups are not compelled to include 25% women and youth nominees, they are grouped together not as separate entities

political party secretaries and leaders of independent groups.

The report highlighted several important points and also noted that the Northern Provincial Council had not been consulted about the formulation of the bill although it was a requirement to consult all Provincial Councils.

It further said that although the bill had introduced new measures, it broadened the powers of the central government rather than em- powering local authorities.

“Political parties or independent groups are not compelled to include 25% women and youth nominees. Women and youth are grouped together rather than included as separate entities. The 40% youth quota and the rejection of a nomination list for noncompli- ance have been repealed,” it said. The organization said the bill though presented to parliament was not passed and was being held back to be used at a convenient time. “The bill was formulated with utmost secrecy and, like the 8th amendment the general public is not aware of its main features and its impact on their fundamental rights,” the report said.

The new bill which introduced a system that will marginalize a significant portion of the citizens and to those who do not endorse the opinions of the two main parties, the report said.