The Sri Lanka Election Observation National Centre yesterday condemned the attempts by some political parties to prevent the adoption of Election Expenses Regulation Bill in Parliament.
The Centre said it is unclear for what reasons those parties who claim to stand for free and fair elections are opposing the adoption of this Bill.
The Centre in a release requested that all political parties act immediately and pass this Bill so that it applies to the upcoming Local Government election to ensure democracy and free and fair election. “We strongly believe that the Election Expenses Regulation Bill which has already been presented in parliament will go a long way in ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections”, the release said.
Excerpts from the release: If a country like Sri Lanka is able to pass such an Bill , it is clear when studying the Bill that it will expand the possibilities of holding free and fair elections. This Bill will provide the opportunity to hold elections without being subject to wealth or influence.
Sri Lanka Election Observation National Centre considers this Bill as a great achievement in the efforts made to establish democracy in Sri Lanka.
This is one of the best steps that can be taken to change the existing corrupt electoral system. However, the efforts of some political parties to prevent the adoption of this Bill are strongly condemned and it is unclear for what reasons those parties who claim to stand for fair elections are opposing the adoption of this Act. In fact, if these parties stand for free and fair elections in Sri Lanka, what should be done is to adopt it as applicable to this Local Government election. There is absolutely no need to postpone elections in such application.
It is extremely regrettable that even though the Election Expenses Regulation Bill has been approved by the Supreme Court, opposition political parties have not come forward to make proper use of it. The opposition declares that the Election Expenses Regulations Bill which aims to conduct clean elections, should not apply to this election, but we dismiss the opposition’s request that it should be effective for future elections as a double standard.
Therefore, in order to confirm democracy, we request that all political parties act immediately and pass the Election Expenses Act so that it applies to this Local Government election as well.
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