President Ranil Wickremesinghe has initiated measures to grant an extension to the nine-member Commission of Inquiry appointed to draft proposals for electoral reforms, allowing additional time for the submission of its final report.
Appointed by the President in October of the previous year via a special gazette notification, the Commission of Inquiry, led by former Chief Justice Priyasad Dep, was tasked with proposing amendments to election laws to align with contemporary societal requirements, uphold principles of good governance, bolster representative democracy, and reinforce trust and accountability by enhancing the legal framework governing the registration and operations of political parties.
Among its directives, the commission was mandated to provide recommendations on various aspects, including enhancing the representation of women and youth, shortening the timeframe between the announcement and conclusion of elections, exploring the use of modern technology in voting processes, and facilitating voting for Sri Lankan expatriates.
Initially instructed to submit its recommendations by April 15, 2024, steps have been taken to extend the deadline by an additional two months.
As a result, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly granted the commission an extended period until June 15 to deliver its final report. Source – www.adaderana.lk
