The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to consider the government business presented to Parliament by the public institutions that do not come under the preview of the existing Ministries agreed to present the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Bill to Parliament.
The PSC chaired by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa agreed on presenting the bill on the 6th October when they met under the leadership of Minister of Highways and Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando Tuesday (05).
In particular, under the Registration of Electors Act No. 44 of 1980, voters are registered on the first day of June of each year at the age of 18 years. However, young people who have their birthdays after the said date will have the right to vote in the elections to be held after May 31 next year.
Therefore, this amendment is being made to give the opportunity to those who have attained the age of 18 years in order to cast their votes expeditiously.
The Extraordinary Gazette Notification on this regard was issued on 13th March 2021. Accordingly, this (Amendment) Bill is due to be presented to Parliament on the 6th.
Ministers (Prof.) G. L. Peiris and M.U. M. Ali Sabry, the Chief Opposition Whip, Member of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella attended this meeting.