Electoral Reforms
We propose that the existing system be altogether removed and a new procedure adopted., This is in keeping with the thinking that the manape system has caused severe disruption in society Although it is acknowledged that the proportional system is the best that reflects the mandate of the people it is admitted that such a systemsometimesprevents voters electing a representative to represent their electorate. So a blend of past the post and proportional system is suggested It is also found that the appointment of nationals list members have been badly abused. It was meant to pave the way for the appointment of persons of eminence who would not face the hustle of contesting to adorn parliament We are totally opposed to any increase in the number of MP’s to be appointed Sri Lanka is a small country and 225 member parliament is quite adequate and satisfactory As a delimitation Commission is in place it should study the present constituencies and come up with the number of electorates that deem necessary.
The Proposals
There will be a Parliament of 225 members made up as follow
119 to be elected on the constituencybasis[ Past the post] There will be 110 electorates with 8 of them multi member constituencies
Colombo Central 3
NuweraEliya 2
Trincomalae 2
Batiicolae 2
Vauniya 2
Puttalum 2
Badulla 2
Balapitiya 2
There will be 100 members elected on the basis of the votes polled by each party or group in each of the 29 districts The Election Commission/ Delimitation Commission will determine the number of members to be so elected taking into consideration the number of registered voters and the geographical area.
When nominations are called each party or group shall submit a list of their nominees to be elected on the proportional basis. The parties or groups should submit the said list on the basis of priority. The Secretary o0f each party or group shall submit an affidavit that 25 percent of those included in the list are women and another 25 percent are below the ages of 40 years No changers should be permitted once the list is submitted. No member who contested on an electoral basis and not elected can thereafter be nominated on the proportional basis
The choice of nomination is given to the party or the group to avoid an election on a manape basis again. The cut off points for parities to become eligible for election of members on proportional basis has been a debatable issue WE are of the opinion that the current cut off point of 5 percent is too small That has lead to small parties securing seatsdisproportionate to their acceptance by the people And such partiers invariably become King Makers So it is recommendedthat we revert back to the earlierposition that a member must secure more than 8 percent of the votes polled to become eligible to be considered for election [ on the earlier system that prevailed if a person does not poll over one eight of the votes such a person lost the deposit ] In the original c1978 constitution the cut off point was 12 percent But JR reduced it to accommodate Mr Hamid s request which made possible for Muslim communities to get more from their community elected
6 Nominated members
Once the elections are over. The leader of the party or coalition of parties will be given the choice of nominating 6 nominated membersIt is recommended that like in the earlier days that such nominees will be people of eminence. Defeated candidates shall be ineligible to get elected as appointed members Such appointments shall give a leverage to the party winning the highest number of seats to govern without a hung parliament as far as it is possible Crossing over from one party to another should automatically disqualify such a member from hold office. The Secretary of the party should inform the Elections Commissionthat such a person has ceased to be a member of parliament When such a vacancy occurs if the member was elected on constituency basis a bye election will be held to fill the vacancy and in the event of one elected on the proportionalbasis the next in line will be appointed to fill; the vacancy.
There are our considered proposals and subject to open discussion. We will submit these proposals to the Committee appointed by the Proem Minister as well as the committee set up by the Centre for Alternate Policies
