100 from national ratio from 150 seats

250 Members of Parliament

100 from national ratio from 150 seats

1 Member of Parliament from 1 constituent

How members of parliament are chosen according to new election system

There were many suggestions from some time that the Preferential Voting System in Sri Lanka should change and that the culture of violence which emerges because of money and excessive competition as a result should undergo a change and that a local representative who would hold himself responsible for the Seat, should all take a different outlook. As such, when the new government came into power, a change in the election system was promised under the 100 Day Proposal. Whatever it is, since the wide authority is in the possession of the Alliance still the UNP did not show much liking to bring about this change because of the opinion that they believed the voting foundation is operating on an indefinite basis which may be ultimately unfavourable to their Party.

However, the Alliance were of the standing that only if the election system would undergo a change simultaneously with the constitutional change and that if the election too is changed as the 20th amendment, only in that case they would grant their vote. As such, the draft bill is being prepared about the new election system from SLFP quarters and not from the government as such and is expected to be presented next 20th to parliament, sources report.

Accordingly, the new election system would be where one member of parliament would be responsible for the constituency. In such an instance, a national ratio system has been introduced whereby several Seats would be allocated separately in respect of the percentage obtained by the respective Party concerned.

According to what the Election Commissioner has pointed out, as per the new system there would be 250 Seats. On this 250 Seat level, 150 members of parliament would be appointed. The balance 100 would be appointed according to the national ratio system. As such, if the Kolonnawa Seat for instance is taken into consideration, person 'A' from the UNP, 'B' from the SLFP and 'C' from the JVP would be contesting; the most popular person securing votes in that area contesting from Kolonnawa would be able to enter parliament. Persons who come second or after that would thus be defeated. They have no position as a member of parliament.

The national ratio system which is considered second is to grant another 100 Seats in respect of the election percentage secured by each district on district level once the whole general election has been conducted. If according to that ratio system the Colombo District which has been allocated 10 Seats, according to 10 Seats secured by Parties such as the UNP, SLFP and JVP in Colombo, the 10 seats would be divided according to the ratio system. Candidates chosen in that manner would be selected according to the decision of the Party concerned. They are members of parliament who represent their district.

According to this system, the preference fight will be null and void. This is because it is only one person who will contest from one Party for one seat, the voters will have no problem in remembering the candidate. In the system which prevailed so far, there was a situation where the member of parliament of of such and such a Seat was not known to anybody and so the public were in a quandary and in certain situations it was not possible even to choose a specific person for whom the vote was to be cast. Under these circumstances, the candidate who spent his money in a big way and those who were popular figures in the field of Arts or sports thus were able to creep into the parliament after being victorious.

Under this new system the winning candidate would be responsible for the area concerned. In such a case a situation has been automatically created whereby he would not be in a position to win the next election if he has not worked for his area. Under this scheme, a person who is highlighted comes into focus of the Party.

The aforementioned system is still being drafted and is under discussion and there is an opportunity for any suggestions for amendments to come forward at the parliamentary debate. Whatever it is, several Parties have granted their consent in this connection. However, minor Parties who are not in a position to establish the voting basis in every area would be against this.