First-past-the-post system back in 2010

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The First-Past-the- Post (FPP) election system will be reintroduced by the Government at the next round of local government elections, scheduled to be held in 2010, Chairman, Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms, Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardana told the Sunday Observer. Accordingly 70 per cent members for future Parliaments and local government institutions will be elected under the new election system.

The remaining 30 per cent will be elected under the existing Proportional Representative (PR) system. The Minister said that 31 members from all political parties in Parliament were members of the Select Committee. He said repeated requests from various public organisations to reintroduce the FPP election system were considered.

All elections, conducted before 1977 were held under the First-Past-the-Post system and the PR system was introduced by former President J. R. Jayewardene in 1978 to pave the way for members in small political parties also to make their representation in Parliament and local bodies.

The Minister also observed that the main shortcoming of the current PR system is that no members are elected to Parliament from some electorates while about two members are elected for one electorate. "This situation has become a major obstacle for voters concerned since their representatives are not appointed in some electorates and as a result such voters will not be able to discuss their problems and also grievances with parliamentarians and councillors in Local Government institution," he added.