Former Elections Chief Warns of Proxy Candidates in Elections

News Today: Mahinda Deshapriya highlights flaws in the election system and urges youth to vote wisely.

Former Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has raised concerns about proxy candidates in the upcoming Presidential Elections. During a recent event commemorating International Youth Day, Deshapriya pointed out that several independent candidates appear to be linked to a single main candidate, acting as proxies to secure votes. He highlighted this as a significant flaw in the current election system.

Deshapriya emphasized that the presence of proxy candidates undermines the fairness of the electoral process. He noted that the exploitation of these loopholes is common and can only be addressed if the government introduces new regulations or criteria. According to him, the existing system allows candidates to manipulate the election process, which is detrimental to democratic integrity.

In addition, Deshapriya called for the extension of the youth quota, currently applied in Local Council Elections, to Provincial and General Elections. He believes that this would encourage greater youth participation and ensure their representation in decision-making bodies.

During the event, Mahinda Deshapriya and his group also urged the youth to exercise their voting rights wisely. They emphasized the importance of informed voting, particularly in the context of the current electoral challenges