Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-03-18 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Preparing a Bill to amend the Constitution

- It has been found necessary to change the existing electoral system to achieve the objectives of the Regulations of Election Expenditure Act No. 3 of 2023 and to ensure full realization of a democratic election. A Cabinet Sub‑Committee has been appointed to submit a Report with recommendations to the Cabinet after obtaining the views of all Party leaders representing Parliament and other relevant Parties for that purpose. They have expressed their views to the Committee to elect 160 out of the 225 Members of Parliament by the voters directly in the respective constituency and to elect the rest of 65 Members of Parliament at national or provincial level as per the proportional representation and the majority of participants have expressed their concurrence for that. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft necessary legislation to amend the Electoral system, taking also into consideration the recommendations submitted by the Committee appointed under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, was approved by the Cabinet.