Let us decide on LG polls date independently: EC to political parties

25 February 2025 10:44 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10 Bookmark

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Colombo, Feb 25 (Daily Mirror) - The date for the declaration of the Local Government (LG) elections, followed by the call for nominations, will be announced only after the budget debate is concluded, the Election Commission (EC) stated.

This clarification comes amid requests from opposition parties for the EC to call nominations after the budget debate, while the government has urged an earlier announcement.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said that the Commission would make its decision on the LG elections independently, without external influence or interruptions from factors such as the national budget or political pressure.

“Opposition parties have requested an extension for calling nominations until the last possible moment, urging the Commission to delay the announcement until the budget process in Parliament was completed. In contrast, the National People's Power (NPP) pushed for an earlier announcement,” he stated.

“We take all suggestions into account. However, as an independent body, the relevant date will be announced in line with the Local Government Election Act,” he stressed.

The Local Government Election, originally set for 2023, was postponed after the nomination process had already commenced. Several political parties challenged this in court, contending that using the same nomination lists for the 2025 election would be unjust. In response, the court ruled that a new nomination process could only proceed with the approval of a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the EC chief also stated that they are in the process of refunding the deposits worth approximately Rs 60 million for over 80,000 nominees who had placed deposits for the 2023 Local Government Elections.

Comments - 10

slcitizen Tuesday, 25 February 2025 11:30 AM

Acid test for NPP.. Either win or beginning of the end..

5 6

EC is needless delaying the LG Polls Tuesday, 25 February 2025 11:48 AM

Why is the Election Commission waiting until the end of a political activity that has nothing to do with the LG polls. What has the budget debate got to do with Local Government bodies. Government must question why the Election Commission is doing delaying tactics, disenfranchising the voters instead of getting on with it.

5 5

Parakum Tuesday, 25 February 2025 03:33 PM

Is having the LG election the burning issue in the country? We have four elections in a five-year cycle - presidential, parliamentary, provincial and local council, for a population of approximately 22 million. What have these structures delivered for us?

0 1

EC is needless delaying the LG Polls Tuesday, 25 February 2025 04:47 PM

@Parakum Definitely LG polls is not a burning issue, but neither is the Parliamentary debate on the budget. My point is the Election Commission is delaying needlessly, when conducting elections on time. The LG polls is delayed since 2023, if LG bodies can be removed all the better, otherwise get the election done with. Public can now bring about legal action against the Election Commission for delaying needlessly.

1 0

Dr. Dee esquire Tuesday, 25 February 2025 01:28 PM

Better have it soon. NPP is loosing its grip!

1 6

johan Tuesday, 25 February 2025 02:00 PM

EC must increase the Deposit money collection considering the paper cost,salary increase to public servants who are employed in election duties etc..

0 0

Man Tuesday, 25 February 2025 03:19 PM

Previous, cancelled election cost must be recovered from Ranil.

1 5

Cheers Tuesday, 25 February 2025 03:23 PM

Looks like election commissioner and commissioner is violating the democratic rights of people and looks politicised by the current government, president

1 2

Mohan Tuesday, 25 February 2025 03:53 PM

Useless election when the constitution has to be changed for good governance as the present NPP govt. is struggling too to maintain civil law and order under presidency. All are parrot patriots working for self not the country.

1 1

Sivam Tuesday, 25 February 2025 05:06 PM

with NPP in power ,citizens need to ensure NPP wins their local council if not it will be disadvantages for the people of the area in relation to facilitiesg else will happen suppose SJP wins an area they will have power only to talk and talk and nothing else will happen

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