PAFFREL to introduce criteria for party nominees

A series of criteria to be considered by political parties in giving nominations to their members would be introduced by the People’sAction for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) on March 12th at the BMICH, its Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said in a press conference held yesterday.

Mr. Hettiarachchi said they had invited all political party leaders to sign the official agreement “March 12th Declaration” comprising a set of essential qualifications people’s representatives should have.

He said they were able to introduce the proposals to some political party heads including UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim and SLFP National Organiser Susil Premajayantha as they have extended their willingness already.

The “March 12th Declaration” was a product of a wideranging public discourse undertaken by the PAFFREL with the participation of experts from different sectors. Among these criteria,

eight matters have been listed as the most essential ones to be adhered to, by the respective parties in nominating persons for contesting the Parliamentary, Provincial Council and Local Authorities’ Election.

Speaking about the proposed election reforms, Mr. Hettiarachchi said they would emphasise on the minimum education level, political history of the nominees, the limit of money for spending for preelection campaigns and a proper election calendar.

Further he urged that under the new election reforms, the politicians who had been accused of bribery or corruption charges and murder or criminal charges must not be nominated again.