Opposition Leader against hasty electoral reforms

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva said his party would not support any hasty electoral reforms before the next parliamentary elections as there was barely any time to effect comprehensive changes to ensure fair representation in Parliament, electorate-wise.

“In my electorate, Badulla, we have only 54,000 voters. In Kaduwela there are 170,000 voters and in Mahinyangana there are 120,000 voters. Is it fair to have one member in Parliament for 54,000 voters in Badulla while in Kaduwela one member has to represent 170,000 voters?,” he asked.

De Silva who was the Leader of the House in the previous government said there should be an equitable number of voters for each and every electorate if the first past-the-post system is to be promulgated.

There must be a clear demarcation of boundaries. “This is not to say the electorates must be equally divided but there has to be an equitable number of voters,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said that if the Government hopes to dissolve Parliament by the end of April, there was barely any time to effect comprehensive electoral reforms and elections may be held under the present system as it is more fair on the part of the minorities.

(Sunday Observer)