106 The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 80 [CHAPTER XIVA ELECTION COMMISSION Election Commission 103. 81[(1) There shall be an Election Commission (in this Chapter referred to as the “Commission”) consisting of five members appointed by the President 82 [on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council,] from amongst persons who have distinguished themselves in any profession or in the field of administration or education. One of the members so appointed shall be a retired officer of the Department of Elections or Election Commission, who has held office as a Deputy Commissioner of Elections or above. The President shall appoint one member as its Chairman.] (2) The object of the Commission shall be to conduct free and fair elections and Referenda. (3) No person shall be appointed as a member of the Commission or continue to hold office as such member if he is or becomes a member of Parliament, a Provincial Council or a Local Authority, or is or appointed a judicial officer or public officer, or is or enters into the employment of the State in any capacity whatsoever. (4) The provisions of the Constitution and any other law relating to the removal of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal from office shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the removal of a member of the Commission from office. (5) A member of the Commission who without obtaining prior leave of the Commission, absents himself from three consecutive meetings of the Commission, shall be deemed to have vacated office with effect from the date of the third of such meetings. 80 - Chapter XIV A inserted by the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution Sec. 9. 81 - Substituted by the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution Sec.18(1). 82 - Substituted by the Twenty First Amendment to the Constitution Sec.10(1).