Categories: HeadlinesPolitics

Minister : Only one member from family be permitted to contest LG polls

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Mustapha said yesterday that there should be a system to ensure that only one member from one family can contest at the forthcoming and Provincial Council Local Government elections.

Under the present system, most of the candidates are from political families. This deprives so many others in the 20 million population of contesting at any election.

We should consider taking forward the concept of only one candidate from one family at the forthcoming election,” he added.

“We do not want family members and relatives of politicians to be elected to Local Government authorities and Provincial Councils. The opportunities should be diversified, allowing others to contest at any election. We must encourage more intellectuals,social workers and philanthropists to contest the upcoming elections,” he added.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday, Minister Mustapha said Parliament has approved the proposal of allocating 25 percent of representation to women in Provincial Councils and Local Government Institutions recently.

“But, most politicians try to get nominations for their wives and daughters as candidates. We must change this culture and provide an opportunity for more women to enter politics. We all should show greater collective commitment in increasing women representation in Local Government institutions and Parliament as well,” he said.

However, there is a tendency that women do not vote for women. But, we should create a belief among women that women can lead the women in society,” the Minister said.

“Meanwhile, a Cabinet memorandum will be submitted shortly by the Minister to initiate an awareness programes among the women through the media and social media with the aim of increasing the womens representation in Local Government bodies, thereby ceating a new political culture,” Minister Mustapha said.

AddThis Website Tools
Lankanewspapers

Recent Posts

LNP – Sri Lanka Police deploy 24/7 security at Chabad houses

LNP – Sri Lanka Police deploy 24/7 security at Chabad houses

Police said today that any threats to the safety of foreign nationals on the island…

12 hours ago
LNP – Couple loses Rs 4.79 crore with digital arrest, scamster visits Sri Lankan casino

LNP – Couple loses Rs 4.79 crore with digital arrest, scamster visits Sri Lankan casino

A retired engineer and his wife in Bengaluru lost Rs 4.79 crore to cyber fraudsters,…

12 hours ago
LNP – Sri Lanka continues to attract large number of Indian tourists

LNP – Sri Lanka continues to attract large number of Indian tourists

The latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) indicate that the…

13 hours ago

LNP – Electricity tariffs increased by 15%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval to increase electricity tariffs…

14 hours ago

LNP – Sixty-eight more inmates illegally released under Presidential pardon – ASG Peeris tells court

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peeris today told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that further investigations…

22 hours ago

LNP – President Anura Kumara departs for official visit to Germany

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has left the island short while ago, to embark on a…

22 hours ago