• Contradicts Parliament media announcement made on Wednesday
• PAFFREL urges CC not to reconstitute EC until LG polls concluded

Contradicting a press release issued by Parliament, which noted that an agreement had been reached to reconstitute the Election Commission (EC) at the first meeting of the Constitutional Council (CC) held on Wednesday (25), Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa claimed that the same was not discussed at the said meeting.

Speaking at a gathering yesterday (26), Premadasa claimed: “At the CC meeting, there was no discussion on changing the current membership of the EC, nor did we discuss the calling for applications. I discussed this with the Speaker (Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena) and Parliament Secretary General (Dhammika Dasanayake) and confirmed that we won’t be calling for any applications, for the EC or for any commission, until the CC meets next Monday. I reiterate that I spoke to the Speaker and the Parliament Secretary General. When the discussion into the calling of applications was going on, I clearly asked that applications be called for the other commissions apart from the EC. But it has been decided to call applications for all commissions. We will take this decision at next Monday’s meeting.”

However, a press release issued by Parliament on Wednesday (25) noted that a newspaper advertisement is to be published calling for applications for the appointment of members to the independent commissions including the EC. A period of two weeks from the date of advertisement will be given to furnish such applications, the statement further noted.

Meanwhile, polls monitor, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), yesterday appealed to the CC not to reconstitute the EC until the Local Government (LG) election is concluded on 9 March.

“They can fill the vacancies at the EC but not reconstitute the EC until the election is over. Even if they change the EC, nothing would happen. Whoever is appointed as a new member can continue. But it may create uncertainty among the public. Therefore, we would appeal to the CC to not touch the EC for the time being,” PAFFREL’s Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Daily Morning,.

He further added, while appealing to the CC to refrain from reconstituting the EC until the conclusion of the said poll, that his organisation also urges them that the members for the independent commissions be appointed through nominations by the people and not via applications. 

He also said: “Nobody of that particular calibre would apply for these kinds of positions. There should be an opportunity given for the people to nominate members to these commissions.”

Hettiarachchi also noted that the CC should prepare proper procedures and criteria to appoint such members.

Opposition Leader Premadasa further noted that a conspiracy was being carried out with claims of officials of the EC handing in their resignations. 

“From last night (Wednesday), a media operation was carried out with reports that one member of the EC had resigned. Some said that the Chairman (Attorney-At-Law Nimal G. Punchihewa) has also resigned, through an operation that was launched to disrupt the election process. It Is apparent that in this country a conspiracy is being carried out to delay elections.”

Speaking further, he noted: "No matter what the reason is, the Constitutional Council will not work towards changing the members of the EC during the election period. After 9 March, we can fulfil that duty. The CC is not here to stop elections, but to safeguard the people’s right to vote. It will not be a pawn for such, nor will it permit the same; however, if the CC comes to such a position, then I will no longer remain there as a member.”