Which election comes first – presidential or parliamentary?

20 December 2023 06:07 am - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Dec.20 (Daily Mirror) - Political circles are abuzz with speculation whether President Ranil Wickremesinghe will declare the general elections ahead of the presidential elections scheduled before the end of October 17.

Various news reports, circulating both in mainstream and social media, suggest that the general elections will precede the presidential elections.

According to inside political sources, some of the key members of the United National Party (UNP) led by the President are keen to have the presidential election first in accordance with the constitutional schedule whereas the others want a general election.

The rationale behind the latter perspective is the belief that contesting a general election while the President is in office would increase their chances of securing parliamentary seats.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), as the key party that backs the President in Parliament, holds significant sway in influencing the decision. The UNP has only one seat in the House. When the party met with the President around one month before the party’s convention, it communicated its readiness for any election.

As the governing party, it commands the majority support of the House. In case of withdrawal of its support to the President in the House, the government’s legislative work will be hampered, leaving no option other than dissolution of Parliament for a snap general election.

However, the SLPP is under compulsion to take such drastic action since quite a number of its MPs who are uncertain about re-election are not prepared to go for a general election mid -term. In the case of serving full term in the House, they will at least be entitled to pension benefits. The SLPP cannot afford to go for an election by antagonizing them at this juncture.

The National People’s Power (NPP), the JVP-led political alliance, prefers to conduct the presidential election first. The party has already started political meetings in view of the elections pending next year.

The President's decision may hinge on maintaining parliamentary stability and securing support from key political players.

The presence of tycoon-turned-prospective presidential candidate Dammika Perera at the SLPP convention is seen as a deliberate signal from the SLPP to the President regarding its stance on supporting a candidate in the upcoming presidential election. The President now holds the constitutional authority to declare a snap general election.

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Comments - 27

Jude Wednesday, 20 December 2023 07:24 AM

Doesn't matter Which ever comes first, Coz Ranil going home, if presidential elections comes first Ranil gonna lose badly and if general elections comes first then the parliament gonna kick him out!!

Nimal Wednesday, 20 December 2023 07:35 AM

Irrespective of the order that these elections will be held, one thing is absolutely certain. They would result in massive and ignominious defeats for the UNP and the Pohottuwa the likes of which have never been seen before. Incidentally, they should be held before the pin president sells more of our country.

sam silva Wednesday, 20 December 2023 08:00 AM

hold both on same day and use an APP to vote from home to cut down on costs.

Johan Wednesday, 20 December 2023 08:24 AM

Whatever the political parties' expectations, dreams and tactics will not be favour for major parties this time because people are fed up they will go to the polling booth with angry mood to cast their votes.That is the ground reality.

Ram Wednesday, 20 December 2023 08:35 AM

No elections in the foreseeable future. RW is bullshitting the voters

This is reality Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:13 AM

It's a heads they win tails you lose situation. If a general election is held and 'the others' win, the same result will very likely prevail at the presidential election. If the presidential election is held first and lost, the result of the general election is a foregone conclusion. Whatever the outcome, considering the ground conditions, we will have a hung parliament and a president who will, in other words, be unstable and dependent on others in time to come.

sam Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:26 AM

It will be cheaper to have both elections on the same day

Man Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:26 AM

"Election Year: Would it wreck the economic recovery?" So, it signals no elections as at the UNP working committee, those days. Therefore, no suspicion.

Sick of politicians Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:37 AM

We the people just need an election to get rid of the rubbish that is running the country.

NAGA Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:53 AM

NORTHEAST PEOPLE WANT PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

Lion Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:07 AM

What ever the election that comes we are ready to chase the guys who have bankrupted this country while they enjoy a super luxury life. The two groups which ruled this country since independent will be routed out in style. All most all the people have become campaigners in this process of taking out these rouges belonging to this two camps.

Pushparaj Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:19 AM

If general election is head, JVP will get will win many seats that will be enough to form a government but not 2/3. With the support of Sajid's party they can remove the cardboard Hitler. Tamil parties and Thondamans will not support because they can't resist the temptation for money/gold offered by Rani -Rajapkshe group. If president election is held, JVP will get over 60 % Sinhalese votes that will be enough to send the cardboard Hitler home.

Kikazaru Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:48 AM

Imaterial, Ranil, the UNP and Kaputas will get wiped out.

Hussiane Wednesday, 20 December 2023 11:20 AM

hik hik hik

duplicate Ralahami Wednesday, 20 December 2023 11:35 AM

jvp is dreaming bullshiting remember people have not forgotten destruction jVB carried out 1971

Man Wednesday, 20 December 2023 11:40 AM

@ Pushparaj; Are there any further lunatic persons when there is a party does a lot of work for poor with the distribution of medical equipment, computer labs, busses for underprivileged schools and restoring power at Mihintale without talking about stacked files, graphine and other damp squibs without any action? Absurd, indeed!

DOT Wednesday, 20 December 2023 12:14 PM

Frankly we don't want any as we are very tired!

UNP STALWART Wednesday, 20 December 2023 12:18 PM

RANIL'S CHANCES ARE BETTER IN ANY UPCOMING ELECTIONS IF HE UNHESITATINGLY SACK IMMEDIATELY KEHELIYA, TIRAN , DESABANDU, SLC BOARD, AND REMOVE SOME USELESS AND UNWANTED STATE MINISTERS .

NV JEN Wednesday, 20 December 2023 12:38 PM

JVP is far better

Sam Wednesday, 20 December 2023 12:59 PM

JVP all the way hurrah!

LankanLover Wednesday, 20 December 2023 01:02 PM

Hon.President, You anyways Lived your dream of 50 years,now let someone else do it for us, Thanks in advance. Jayawewa.

Waco Wednesday, 20 December 2023 01:32 PM

From the day before the election close the Air Ports to net the Rouges.

Dharmatileke Wednesday, 20 December 2023 06:22 PM

This will never materialize as RW wants to divert attention of the opposition and the masses from his wrong doings

Quolp Thursday, 21 December 2023 12:39 AM

The fact is, that none of the elections will be held as long as the US PLOT works well siding with RANIL to hold the power which will benefit the US more than any other party coming to power.

Jason Thursday, 21 December 2023 02:01 AM

Depends on how ethnic minorities are expected to vote. At a presidential election they vote for SJB. At a general election most of them vote for TNA, SLMC, etc. If the Ranil prefers SJB to JVP, he will hold a presidential election first. If he prefers JVP, he will dissolve parliament for a general election first.

Ruben Huling Thursday, 21 December 2023 06:02 AM

It is political theatrics at best. People are not naive and gullible any longer.

Kankasan Thurepala Thursday, 21 December 2023 05:05 PM

It depends on Gona or Karattaya goes first! I think it is better to to eat Thanakola for Gona first!

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Which election comes first – presidential or parliamentary?

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