The Cabinet on the proposed electoral reforms will be taken up for discussion by the Ministers at the meeting scheduled for April 22, the first after the April New Year vacation, informed sources said.
The electoral reforms will be evolved for implementation along with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution as an initiative by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
Already the SLFP has appointed a committee to work out electoral reforms in consultation with the Elections Department. It is learnt that the Government will opt for a simple delimitation process to be completed within a month. The geographical expanse and the size of voter population of electorates will be considered in delimitating their boundaries under the proposed system.
Accordingly, the boundaries of electorates with more than 100,000 voters each, or less than 50,000 will be delimitated.
Colombo-Central, Kaduwela and Homagama are three of the electorates identified with more than 100,000 voters each.
The electorates with less than 50,000 voters are slated to be amalgamated under the proposed system. Five such electorates have been identified in the Jaffna district alone.
In Colombo, there will be an addition of a few more electorates. Besides, the electorates with a geographical expanse of over 1000 Square Kilometres will be reviewed for delimitation. The Ampara electorate of the Digamadulla distract, the Tissamaharama electorate of the Hambantota district and the Anuradhapura –East electorate are the geographically largest constituencies.
Altogether, there are 160 electorates in the country. It is not intended to alter this number by a big margin under the proposed delimitation process. Besides, a few multi-member constituencies will be set up.
“We will not go for major changes. Also, we will ensure representations for minor and minority parties,” a minister said. (Kelum Bandara)