Until election system is amended General Election to be postponed

Until election system is amended General Election to be postponed

Minister Rajitha informed that the General Election

expected to be held in the future would be postponed further. This was mentioned at the discussion of Cabinet meeting today. The reason for this is that the government has arrived at a decision that the General Election would be held only after the proportionate election system and the 'kevala' electoral system is amended. As the Cabinet has arrived at this decision, after that election system is amended the parliament will be dissolved and the government has subsequently decided to go for a General Election.

While there was a decision concerning this decision by the SLFP Executive committee, they too were reluctant to go into a General Election without such action been taken.  According to this 'kevala' election system it would be difficult for minorities to acquire seats and secure a greater representation in parliament. While it is said that it would take a number of months to conduct discussions in parliament and adjust shortcomings in the new system and to present the Bill and the Election Department would take another several months to ascertain electorates once again for the new 'kevala' electoral system, the Commissioner has requested for about 6 months for this purpose. As such, it is the opinion of political critics that under the new election system the General Election would be held in another seven or eight months towards October or November 2015 or else at the beginning of next year.

It was a promise that the new election system would be implemented under the 100 Day Plan and under such a scheme there would be no rush for Preferential voting while members of parliament will not be able to secure votes without serving their area.