The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has submitted several proposals relating to the commission’s functions to be included in the 20th amendment to the constitution. According to Director Legal of the Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa, the relevant proposals have now been handed over to the Ministry of Justice.
According to existing regulations, the quorum for a meeting calls for all three members of the commission to be present. As a result, the Commission cannot convene in the absence of any of its members.
Therefore the Election Commission has proposed to change the required quorum for the meeting of the Elections Commission to two members.
In its proposals submitted to the Ministry, the commission has also suggested that an experienced official be appointed as one of the commission’s three members. Accordingly, it has been proposed to appoint a retired officer who was formerly a Deputy Commissioner or of a higher rank as a member of the Commission.