The Election Commission has proposed a technical framework to increase the representation of women and youth in Provincial Council elections while retaining the existing Proportional Representation (PR) system.
The proposal was presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to study and recommend the electoral system for future Provincial Council elections. The committee, chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath, discussed the Commission’s report at a meeting in Parliament.
Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, and members of the Caucus also took part in the discussions.
According to the Department of Communication of Parliament, the Election Commission’s report focuses on improving opportunities for women and youth candidates without altering the current method of calculating results under the PR system. Committee members examined the potential legal and practical challenges of introducing mechanisms to secure greater representation for these groups.
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus separately and unanimously called for women’s representation at both Provincial Council and Local Government elections to be increased.
Further discussions on the proposals are expected at a future meeting. The move comes amid mounting pressure to hold long-overdue Provincial Council elections, which have not taken place for several years, leaving the councils without elected representatives.
