Fourteen government MPs have written to speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, asking him to appoint a select committee to investigate what they allege as incidents of infringement of privileges of MPs by the Election Commission.
The letter cited the appointment of the Elections Commission consisting of five members on December 03, 2020, and their responsibility towards parliament under Article 1048(3) of the Constitution.
It charged the Commission has failed to report to parliament on issues related to the local government polls and has failed to satisfy all preconditions to hold such an election.
The letter said that if the privileges of the MP and the legislature have been infringed, it should be investigated and suitable recommendations should be made.
The chair and members of the committee will be appointed by the speaker and the committee will consist of seven members as per the provisions of Standing Order 101.
The Committee has the power to fix its quorum, summon any person to appear before it, require any person to produce any document or record, receive evidence, obtain the services of specialists and experts in relevant fields, and make interim reports from time to time.
The committee is expected to present its report to parliament within one month from its first meeting or within such a further period as Parliament may grant.
(dailymirror.lk)
