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Make election manifestos ‘legal’ docs: PAFFREL 

10 Jun 2021

  • Aims to deter candidates from empty promises 

By Buddhika Samaraweera   A leading election monitoring body has proposed that policy statements and manifestos of election candidates be considered ‘legal’ documents, so as to allow the public to challenge the non-implementation of these documents in court.  This proposal has been made by People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) in a bid to hold electoral candidates accountable for their political rhetoric and to ensure that the pledges made in their campaign policy statements and manifestos do not turn out to be mere empty promises.  This proposal will be contained in a document that is to be sent by PAFFREL to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to identify appropriate reforms to election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.  When contacted by The Morning, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said that many candidates who present policy statements during elections do not implement them after coming to power, and that therefore, there should be room for the public to initiate legal action against such representatives.  Meanwhile, in a letter PAFFREL has requested an extension on the deadline given for the public interested in electoral reforms to submit their views and proposals, which is currently 19 June 2021. Hettiarachchi said that this is because, in the wake of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the public and organisations may have difficulties in submitting proposals in this regard.  “However, PAFFREL has already prepared the series of proposals to be submitted to the PSC and if there will be no extension of the deadline, we hope to submit the proposals that have already been prepared,” he added.  In addition to the proposal on policy statements and manifestos, PAFFREL said it will also propose that the electoral system be based on proportional representation (PR), adding also that they will submit their suggestions and ideas on the steps to be taken if a mixed system (PR and first-past-the-post), is to be adopted.  In the draft which has been prepared as of now, PAFFREL has also stated that the assets and liabilities of people's representatives be declared at the time of handing over their nominations for any election and that legal provisions should be introduced regarding the regulation and control of campaign financing.  In addition, they have pointed out the need to develop a voting system for Sri Lankans living or working abroad. They have also presented a number of factors to be considered when registering political parties.  Stating that the Elections Commission does not have the power to file cases directly in matters related to an election or similar matters, Hettiarachchi said that such legal provisions should be amended. He pointed out that the Commission should be able to file a case directly, especially to minimise delays in filing cases through the Attorney General.  He also said that people with disabilities are more likely to abstain from voting as they have to obtain permission to go by vehicle to polling stations during every election. To avoid that problem, they should be given a document that is valid for every election, he said.  The 15 Member PSC headed by Gunawardena, met for the first time in Parliament on 17 May. Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Douglas Devananda, Wimal Weerawansa and President’s Counsel (PC) M.U.M. Ali Sabry, State Minister Jeevan Thondaman, Parliamentarians Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Kabir Hashim, Ranjith Maddumabandara, Mano Ganesan, M.A. Sumanthiran PC, Madhura Withanage and Sagara Kariyawasam are its other Members.  Several attempts to contact Gunawardena and a few Members of the PSC to inquire if the PSC would extend the deadline for public views and proposals to be submitted, proved futile.  


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