PAFFREL calls for stricter regulations on political party registrations

• 70 parties already registered 
• Says political parties formed for personal or business gains should be discouraged 
• The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) have called for a tightening of regulations on political party registrations, stating that having a large number of political parties can challenge democracy

While there are 70 registered political parties in the country, in a letter addressed to the Commission and dated 24 January, PAFFREL stated that only half of these contest at elections. In addition to this, the organisation stated that political parties formed for personal or business gains should be discouraged.

In the letter, PAFFREL has presented seven areas that should be given consideration when registering political parties, including discouraging applications for political parties with an ethnic or religious identity.

In order to be recognised, a political party should have at least 10 members, PAFFREL suggested, adding that all registered parties should be reviewed on a yearly basis and inactive parties should be removed from the list.

In their suggestions, PAFFREL also focuses on youth and female representation within political parties, stating that steps should be taken to increase youth participation in political parties.

PAFFREL also mentions the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Act No. 58 of 2009, which states: “In order to guarantee better representation of women in political parties and in politics, every recognised political party shall ensure the inclusion of one or more women office bearers in the list of office bearers of such party.”

While the Election Commission of Sri Lanka states: “The list of office-bearers of the party (at least one female office-bearer should be included)” under the documents required for the registration of parties, PAFFREL highlights that of the six parties that make up Parliament, none have women in decision-making committees.