The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to examine and make necessary recommendations for the amendment of election laws says that it has taken steps to study the electoral system of several democratic countries.

Its secretary Madhava Devasurendra said the election system of India, Singapore, Canada, Britain, Switzerland and Estonia will be studied.

He mentioned that the purpose of this is to get an understanding of the model that can be looked at to amend the electoral system in the country.

On a related note, more than 60 proposals have been received from individuals and organizations with regard to amending the electoral system.

The secretarysaid that the process of evaluating these proposals is underway.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry plans to hold several discussions with the representatives of several organizations, including the People's Movement for a Just Society, which submitted the relevant proposals.

The term of office of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to submit recommendations for the amendment of the electoral system is scheduled to end on April 15.

Madhava Devasurendra said that an interim report containing recommendations on amending the electoral system is planned to be handed over to the President, prior to the deadline.

However, the Secretary stated that it is not yet possible to say whether the final report will be submitted before that date.

On the 15th of October 2023, President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed a 10-member commission of inquiry headed by retired Chief Justice 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.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also issued the Gazette notification to establish a commission with the mandate to propose revisions to electoral laws that align with contemporary requirements and uphold the integrity of political parties. 

This commission operates in accordance with the stipulations outlined in Sections 2 and 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act No. 17 of 1948 and is chaired by the retired Chief Justice, President’s Counsel Vevage Priyasath Gerard Depp. 

The other commissioners serving on this commission include Sundaram Arumanayagam Senanayakesa Alindralage, 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.

The primary tasks of this commission encompass a thorough examination of existing election laws and the formulation of recommendations for their improvement.