Election Commission Chairman Nimal Punchihewa says in terms of the Parliamentary Election Act a person who hasn’t contested a general election, or not included in the National List, can be appointed to Parliament when a vacancy occurs.
Attorney-at-law Punchihewa explained that when a political party named its share of NL members immediately after a general election, they would have to be either defeated candidates or those included in the NL handed over to the EC before the election.
The EC Chief said so when The Island asked whether Basil Rajapaksa could enter Parliament. The one-time SLFP National Organiser didn’t contest the last general election as the 19th Amendment prevented foreign passport holders from joining the fray. However, the enactment of the 20th Amendment in Oct 2020 that replaced the 19A, enables the SLPP founder to enter Parliament.
Political sources said that an SLPP National List member would quit his seat early next month for Rajapaksa to enter the House.
The EC Chairman said that the Election Law was silent on the issue at hand. Such appointments had been made previously, Punchihewa said, adding that Basil Rajapaksa had entered parliament some time back under similar circumstances.