By Saman Indrajith
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that two members of the Elections Commission (EC) had received death threats as they were working hard to hold the local government polls.
Participating in the second reading debate on Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill, Premadasa said that the two EC members had already lodged complaints with the police about threats to their lives.
“The EC members face threats to their lives because they are trying to safeguard people’s franchise. This bill to control election expenses has been hastily moved by the government to get parliamentary approval,” Premadasa said.
The EC had informed the Supreme Court that it was ready to hold the elections, the Opposition Leader said. “It has further indicated to the Court that it can do so only as per the existing laws and regulations. When this bill is passed today, it
becomes law. Once the bill is passed, it gives the right to the agents of parties with vested interests to invoke the court’s jurisdiction to get a ruling that the elections should be held as per the existing laws”, the Opposition Leader said.
“We agree that the election expenses should be regulated. We only ask for the insertion of a clause stating that the new law being passed will have no effect on the upcoming local government elections for which nominations are being received,” he said.
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