President summoning EC members violates Constitution –Bakeer Markar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said summoning members of the Election Commission before the President on Thursday (5) violates the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.
The MP noted that the president has no authority to summon members of the Election Commission and that if he values democracy, he should allow independent commissions to function independently.
  He highlighted that one of the main responsibilities of the Election Commission is to hold elections on time, and that the President asking for their opinion is an unconstitutional act, despite the fact that the relevant roles of each are clearly explained in the Constitution.

He claimed that the President had challenged people’s voting rights and accused the Election Commission of doing something unnecessary by obeying the summons of the President.

The MP also said, independent commissions have been established to act independently from the influences of the Executive, and that commission members should act responsibly in order to avoid being victims of abuse of power.

He also emphasised that Election Commission members should be cautious not to be a part of any disruptive event with regard to the upcoming poll.

He went on to say that the truth about the discussion between the President and several Election Commission members should be revealed to the country.

( Source : Ceylontoday)