No LG polls this year: EC

26 September 2016 08:18 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday ruled out the possibility of conducting Local Government elections before the end of this year.

However, he said he could take steps for conducting it before April New Year, if the Government addressed legal shortcomings this year.

Mr. Deshapriya said the delimitation process had to be completed in addition to ironing out lacunas in the present Local Government law for the polls to be conducted.

The Government decided to redraw the boundaries of some electoral wards created during the previous rule.

A committee headed by senior civil servant Asoka Peiris was appointed for the task. The committee is expected to present the report on new delimitations by October 15. Initially, it was expected to be ready by August 15.

“Once the report is out, the subject Minister has to announce the number of wards and members to be elected in a Gazette notification. This is a prerequisite for conducting the election,” Mr. Deshapriya said.

Besides, he said there were serious lacunas in the present law, and those should be corrected by enacting a new law in Parliament.

“If the legal ground is cleared, we can conduct the election within the first quarter of the next year,” he said.

“However, there is no possibility for the elections to be conducted this year. We need at least 90 days to conclude the election process after declaration. If it is declared even tomorrow, we cannot go for it this year.

“Alongside, the GCE Ordinary Level Examinations will be conducted in December. It is impossible then for us to have the elections during the period,” he said.

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Comments - 16

Manuel Benjamin Monday, 26 September 2016 10:45 AM

Sir, very good news for for the year.

Desmond Jeromme Monday, 26 September 2016 10:45 AM

Keep it up Maco... we don't need an election for another five years. Why we waste money?

German Jacob Monday, 26 September 2016 10:47 AM

Hon EC, you could rest and just get your salary for another 4-5 years. Who is interested in an election? Everything is working smoothly.

Kadupol Jothywansa Monday, 26 September 2016 10:48 AM

Holding an election means spending in billions for nothing. Now with the present set up, no need of an election Sir.

Kiris Baba Amaray Monday, 26 September 2016 10:50 AM

Practically all the Local Govt. Sectors are smoothly operated with the existing formula. Please allow it to work.

Bubble Banda Monday, 26 September 2016 10:51 AM

Only the rotten Joint Opposition needs elections, but the general public is not at all bothered about an election.

sinhabahu Monday, 26 September 2016 10:52 AM

Ok.boss Lets have it in January 2017 . We are fed up with this Gawapalana Govt.Its like the NATO. No action talk only.

Vijith Pieterz Monday, 26 September 2016 10:52 AM

Local bodies are functioning better than earlier. No corruption, no looting.... why not we allow them to rule as it is.

Chandra Monday, 26 September 2016 11:03 AM

Having said that democracy widened from 8th January 2015 elections are not held?

Bubble Banda Monday, 26 September 2016 11:54 AM

You are misunderstood putha. Now the democracy works 1000 times than Mahinda's rule. Believe me.

Janadasa Monday, 26 September 2016 11:54 AM

What is this democracy everyone is crowing about?

Desmond Jeromme Monday, 26 September 2016 11:55 AM

Don't comment like a kinder garden child. Be wise man.

Manuel Benjamin Monday, 26 September 2016 11:58 AM

Total waste putha...total waste. If you have a referendum, 99% will say, no need of an election now.

German Jacob Monday, 26 September 2016 12:00 PM

Rather than election if Govt. take over MR

Asrana Miniha Monday, 26 September 2016 01:02 PM

What's the point voting for elections when defeated people become Ministers in this government?

jolly bird Monday, 26 September 2016 01:25 PM

HON. COMMISSION OF ELECTION NOW YOU HAVE VESTED WITH THE SOLE POWER. HOPE THE PREVIOUS CULTURE OF ATTACKING BURNING KIDNAPPING AND KILLING WILL BE NO MORE IN FUTURE ELECTIONS IN SRI LANKA. PUBLIC SUPPORT IS ALWAYS WITH YOU. via DM Android App

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No LG polls this year: EC

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