Local Government elections 2016

The Speaker has announced that the next Local Government elections 2016 will be held electoral wise (new system).

It is better for the Government to elucidate the following:

Whether it would be a combination of district and electoral systems or electoral system only?

The combination rates (if any) have to be announced.

On what date the new system was passed by the Parliament (by simple majority or two third majority) and the date it was gazetted.

Whether electoral demarcation has been finalised (there may be a controversial issue for minority parties).

New system has to be explained to the public on time for active participation in election.

Regrettably void voting rates is still high even after 67 years (since 1948) of voting.  How could the Government expect better voting turnout within three months?

It is always better for the Government to take a decision after extensive analysis in consultation with experts.  Napoleon Bonaparte in 1813 (after defeat in the Russian War Front) had said: “There is only one step from supreme to ridiculous.”

S.R. Balachandran, BSc. FCA, FCMA (Sri Lanka)