News
No preferential votes in Elpitiya election
Mixed voting system in place for local council polls
There will be no marking of preferences for candidates at tomorrow’s Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election, Executive Director – Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), Manjula Gajanayake told a recent televised discussion.
Gajanayake said that local council elections were conducted under a mixed electoral system, where 60 percent of members were elected on the basis of wards while the remaining 40 percent were elected under the proportional representation system.
“As a result, voters in Elpitiya will only see the names and symbols of political parties on the ballot paper. They need only mark a cross against the party of their choice,” Gajanayake said.
At least 25 percent of local councillors must be women. For the Elpitiya local council, that percentage translated to seven female councillors. The votes will be counted at the same location where the ballots are cast.
“Each candidate standing for a registered political party is required to make a deposit of 1,500 rupees, whereas candidates from independent groups must deposit 5,000 rupees. A party or independent group can field up to 31 candidates, which means a registered political party’s total deposit will be 46,500 rupees. An independent group must deposit 155,000 rupees. Eight registered political parties and one independent group are contesting the Elpitiya local council,” Gajanayake said.
He further noted that it was the first local council election where candidates were allowed to spend only 20 rupees per person on election propaganda.
The IRES Executive Director said that as tomorrow’s election is taking place just a few weeks before the parliamentary elections on 14th November, it was expected to serve as a barometer of public sentiment.
“Governments typically use these smaller elections to gauge public opinion. In the past decade or so, we’ve seen how the results of local and provincial council elections have indicated shifts in public preferences,” he added.
Polls would be held in 48 centres, Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake told The Island. The staff, material and other necessary items would be despatched to the centres today (25), he said. (RK)
News
Law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally- State Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe
State Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22] said that the law will be enforced against all those who acquire assets illegally.
He said that , if someone joins a municipal council receiving a modest salary and, within two to three years, builds a luxury house and acquires a vehicle, we will question how such wealth was amassed. If a satisfactory explanation cannot be provided, the law will be enforced and the measures will be taken to confiscate any illegally acquired assets.
The opposition frequently levels accusations against us, but we have not engaged in any wrongdoing. We have not misappropriated public funds, used undue influence to secure school admissions for our children, or interfered with law enforcement. We are dedicated to serving the people by upholding an ethical and responsible political culture.
If you wish to develop your community, I respectfully urge you to elect individuals of integrity who will not misuse public funds.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
It has been reported that prison officials and the police have brought the unrest among the 500 plus inmates of the Matara prison which commenced on Tuesday [22] under control by this morning (23)
It has been reported that the inmates had broken out of their wards after which the officials were compelled to fire in the air and use tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The inmates are being temporarily transferred to the Angunkolapelessa prison in groups to enable authorities to repair the the damage caused to the wards and cells within the premises.
The prison officials who were injured during the conflict are receiving treatment at the Matara hospital. 
Latest News
Local government authorities and Municipal Councils are the nursery of corrupt politics. – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister stated that the President has challenged all ministers to transparently and efficiently spend the funds allocated to each ministry through the national budget for the benefit of the people, and that the local governments and municipal councils have historically been the nursery grounds of corrupt politics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held at the Raffles Hotel in Kotte on Tuesday [April 22].
The Prime Minister further stated:
“All 159 of us in Parliament today did not enter through family or financial influence. We are ordinary citizens just like you and individuals who stand among you. Unlike in the past, our members do not behave disruptively in Parliament. When school children visit, there is no need for the Speaker to request their removal that our parliamentary members conduct themselves with dignity, adherence to the law, and political maturity.
This is the kind of Parliament we have always aspired to have. Today, it is you who has made this transformation possible. For a long time, we have not experienced the advantages of an efficient and properly functioning local government. You now have the opportunity to elect representatives who are truly committed to serving you and improving your local institutions.
The event was attended by Arosh Athapaththu, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council candidate representing the National People’s Power, along with several other candidates and a large number of local residents.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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