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| Saturday, 11 September 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| Why is the Constitutional Council sticking to only one name, asks Jeyaraj by Our Parliament Correspondents Chief Government Whip and Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle yesterday said the Constitutional Council should propose an alternative name to the one already put forward for the post of Chairman of the Independent Elections Commission. "Why is the Constitutional Council is sticking to only one name ? Is there only one person in Sri Lanka suitable for this post," Minister Fernandopulle questioned when the matter came up in the House yesterday. Raising the matter in the House, UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera said the Elections Commission cannot function as the President had turned down the name proposed by the Constitutional Council for the post of Chairman of the Commission. "This is a matter of grave concern. The Elections Commission cannot function now as there is no Chairman and more attention should be paid to this," Perera said speaking during a Private Members' motion on the introduction of the electronic voting system. Raising a point of order, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said President has the powers to reject the name of any persons that may not be suitable for this post. "She may have reasons for rejecting the name recommended by the Constitutional Council. But she is not obliged by the Constitution to give reasons", Minister Gunawardena added. The President does not have to answer to the Constitutional Council why she refuses any recommendations made by the Council to the Independent Commissions set up in terms of the 17th amendment to the Constitution, Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara explained. |
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