The Lawyers’ Collective has expressed its concerns about President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to propose electoral reforms.
A Gazette notification was issued on Monday announcing the appointment of the members to the commission, which is to be chaired by retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep PC.
Issuing a statement, the Lawyers’ Collective said this commission’s mandate is to examine all existing election laws and regulations, ostensibly “to suit current needs” and make necessary recommendations for their amendment.
“According to the Constitution, the Elections Commission is already mandated to issue guidelines to the media and political parties for the proper conduct of elections. It has also prepared numerous reports on many of the matters outlined in the Gazette Notification. The notice published in the Gazette outlines several objectives, many of which fall within the purview of the Elections Commission, the constitutionally mandated body responsible for ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections,” the Lawyers’ Collective highlighted.
The Lawyers’ Collective further said that this has led to concerns about the motives behind the Commission’s appointment.
In light of the considerations, the Lawyers’ Collective has called on the President not to use this Commission as a pretext to delay constitutionally mandated electoral processes.
It further called on the President to ensure that by legal design and for political advantage there is no further interference with elections and democracy at large.
