Dep’s committee, EC reps on study tour
Lok Sabha elections:
On the invitation of the Election Commission of India (ECI), two members of the Election Commission and eight members of PCOI (Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Make Recommendations for Election Law Reforms) are visiting India during Lok Sabha elections.
The Island learns that initially there had been a problem with regard to funding required by the EC personnel though the ECI subsequently addressed the issue, thereby paving the way for the 10-member delegation to go.
Six months ago, President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed the PCoI, headed by retired CJ Priyasath Dep, PC, to obtain and submit information, investigate, inquire into and examine all existing election laws and regulations and make necessary recommendations for the amendment of election laws.
The other commissioners serving on this Commission are Sundaram Arumanayagam, Senanayake Alinsadaralage, President’s Counsel Nalin Jayantha Abeysekera, Rajitha Naveen Christopher Senaratne, Ahmed Lebbe Mohammed Salim, Sagarika Delgoda, Esther Sriani Nimalka Fernando, and Vitarana’s Deepani Samantha Rodrigo spokesperson said that the IEVP (International Election Visitor Programme) served as a platform for international election management bodies (EMBs) and organizations working in the electoral field to gain insights into what she called the robustness of India’s electoral system and to learn about the best practices adopted in the world’s largest democracy.
The EECI had previously organized similar programmes during the Lok Sabha Elections in 2014 and 2019.
She said this year, the Election Commission of India has extended invitations to 55 EMBs and organizations to participate in the IEVP 2024.
“The participation of the Sri Lankan delegation underscores the commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and sharing knowledge and experiences in electoral governance between India and Sri Lanka. Through initiatives like the IEVP, both countries aim to promote transparency, integrity, and inclusivity in their respective electoral processes, contributing to the advancement of democratic principles and practices regionally and globally.”
