(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – JVP today leveled accusations at the government saying the proposed new voting system is an attempt to sideline minor parties from politics in the country.
Speaking during a media briefing held at the party headquarters today the Leader of the JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said it is evident that the system was implemented to stall the conduct of local government elections.
MP Dissanayake said it is evident that this method was proposed to ensure that the local government election will not happen adding that the only way to conduct the local government election is to bring back the previous system for this election alone.
MP Dissanayake urged the government to resort to this method adding that the new method restricts all other minor parties.
MP Anura said the new method will sideline other parties from being elected or force them to form an alliance with the two major political parties adding that the introduction of the electoral system will create a two party system in the country.
JVP MP Dissanayake said this electoral system will not allow any other party or faction from representing in the local government bodies.
MP Dissanayake said the government has a different electoral method for the general election, a different type for the provincial council election and another for the local government polls.
JVP leader MP Dissanayake said the existing method has created major issues to conduct the local government polls adding that the party proposes that the proportional voting system be raised to a minimum of 40-60% adding that if it was increased to 60%-40% there will be 11,000 councillors.
The MP said the buildings in place at this time will have to be increased by 2 fold adding that this method is stalling the local government election.
MP Dissanayake said the steering committee that is formulating the constitution is discussing a new election method, adding that 90% agree to this new method however they haven’t been able to agree over two things , one is if they will give two ballots or if they will give two options on the same paper.