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President hopes LG polls will be held under new system
07 Apr, 2017
President Maithripala Sirisena said that he hopes it will be possible to hold Local Governance elections under the new electoral system this year.
The President made these comments at the closing ceremony of the March 12 Movement, which looked at creating a better political culture in the country, held at the BMICH today.
“Although earlier Local Governance elections were held according to the electoral system, the inaction of the Delimitation Committee has caused the present issues.?The main reason to postpone the Local Governance elections is the inability to finalize the limitations of electorates independently and impartially,” President said.
However, after the new government came into power, steps were taken to re-appoint a delimitation committee. Regardless of various allegations and accusations this is a necessary initiative towards the?political and social reforms of the country, he said.
He said he considers this as a first step towards the?transformation of the country and society.
“With the 1978 Constitution individuals not political ideologies became prominent,” he said adding that the present Local Governance election system is a victory of the people.
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution marks a revolutionary change. Under the previous government the President retained the sole authority to appoint judges, Solicitor General, Inspector General of Police, Elections Commissioner.
People voiced their concern against this and it paved the way for the 19th Amendment.
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