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Last Updated : 2024-05-09 17:47:00
24 November 2023 08:53 am - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - Putting to rest speculation about uncertainty on the conduct of polls pending next year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced in Parliament on Wednesday that he would take steps for the conduct of both the Presidential and General Elections next year.
He made such an announcement against the backdrop of the political parties and politically savvy people raising concerns about the possible postponement of elections through legal and constitutional manipulations.
However, Article 31 (3) of the Constitution says (3) ‘The poll for the election of the President shall be taken not less than one month and not more than two months before the expiration of the term of office of the President in office.’
The Presidential Election is due by September or October in terms of the Constitution and therefore there is no requirement for making a fresh announcement. However, the President would have done it because many individuals were casting doubts about the timely conduct of it. In fact, he announced it previously in his address to the convention of his United National Party (UNP).
However, the question still lingers as to whether the President will attempt to postpone the Presidential Election next year through constitutional or legal manipulations.
Nevertheless, the parliamentary election can be called for by him at any time now though it is constitutionally scheduled to be held only in 2025, well after the Presidential Election.
No matter what, the key political parties and individuals harbouring presidential hopes have been expending their energy for some time in anticipation of the elections next year. In addition to the names of President Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and individuals such as Dhammika Perera have already been floated as prospective candidates.
According to informed sources, the parties have done their own surveys to ascertain public opinion. As things stand at the moment, no party commands the clear-cut majority or 50 per cent mark of votes polled to win the elections. They will do a lot of strategizing in the months to come to fill the gaps needed to cross the mark at the election.
Things are slated to hot up starting from January, next year. In the meantime, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is working on its convention scheduled for December 15. It will announce its vision and mission, probably with an indication about its plan for the Presidential Election. Besides, an SLPP group that is fully with the President will launch its political movement in January, next year, targeting the presidential elections.
The SLPP, as a party, has not yet decided to support President Wickremesinghe. It is highly unlikely that it will field its own candidate this time. Its electoral alliance with any prospective candidate will depend on the political outcome to be unfolded in the months to come.
Citizen Friday, 24 November 2023 09:09 AM
President is developing the country as he thinks. He will get a handcount in parliament for 117 or more and can go to courts and ask for an extension for more than 2 years to further develop Sri lanka!! Constitution is their but a polite request can be obliged if I am not wrong Mrs.B in 1970's got an extension.
Mahila Friday, 24 November 2023 09:51 PM
114 seats in Parliament does not provide 2/3 Majority and unlike 1972, Soulbury Constitution, simple majority will NOT SUFFICE!!?? Further, the present 2nd Republican Constitution requires a referendum to BOOT, which is as good (Bad) as Having a Presidential Election!!! The 1972 extension, was not POLITE nor a REQUEST, but SHEER COMMANDERED EXTENSION, USING THE 2/3RD majority in Parliament!?? NOT COMMENDABLE PRACTICE THOUGH!!
Duggy Simson Friday, 24 November 2023 09:23 AM
Just take this also like the Car Factory in SriLanka. RW knows how to put guggulies but he doesn't know now our batsman can face any balls which RW bowls.
T.M.D. Jayasooriya (Attorney-at-Law) Friday, 24 November 2023 09:26 AM
Mr. Wickramasinghe, in order to participate Mahinda's birthday party, you rushed from Malaysia. When you took over with Sirisena in every stage you told you will wipe out Mahinda's family and recover all the robbed money. Now what are you doing you shameless man.
Looso Friday, 24 November 2023 09:28 AM
Hay Ranil, we are not wearing Ear Studs for you to fool at a critical situation like this. Expect the same treatment for Gota and Mahinda to you beginning of next year.
Amused Friday, 24 November 2023 10:03 AM
Oh dear. The virus has spread from Jamila to Kelum.
Mohommed Friday, 24 November 2023 10:26 AM
No need to specially highlight that there will be a presidential election next year. Even though the money is allocated, there will be no money by the time of election. If presidential and early general elections are to be combined (to decrease cost through a constitutional reform or whatever), with efforts to form alliances favorable to the ones in power, it will be a never ending struggle and as a result, even if the money is available, there won't be any election next year.
Nimal Friday, 24 November 2023 10:29 AM
Whatever elections are held, and some have been indefinitely postponed, they will result in ignominious defeats for the pohottuwa and the UNP. Sooner they are held, the better for the ruling party, as the defeat is ever worsening.
Willow Drive Friday, 24 November 2023 10:31 AM
No more elections
DOT Friday, 24 November 2023 10:53 AM
Which itself tells his inability for the job! He is outdated!
Naobgjytfh Friday, 24 November 2023 11:46 AM
I can't trust RW, that simple, specially how he was rude to the opposition leader yesterday, true he has a good brain, but he"s very poor in specially humanity
Voter Friday, 24 November 2023 12:17 PM
These statements from Ranil about holding Elections has become necessary because he himself has created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the country. He knows about the Constitutional provisions and if he tries any jugglery he himself will not be allowed to survive.
Patcitz Friday, 24 November 2023 12:19 PM
Count down to STEP-DOWN for Ranil.
Chandadasa Friday, 24 November 2023 01:03 PM
People have no hope if there is no election ASAP. Better be by Jan. 8 /2024 : A REVOLUTIONARY DAY FOR HIM.
Amal Fernando Friday, 24 November 2023 01:28 PM
What authority does RW has on deciding election dates? Real dictatorial thinking. Please note that you will be a write off at any future election.
N V Jen Friday, 24 November 2023 02:02 PM
Don't get confused Mr. President. Abolish Executive presidency. Reduce no. of MP's in parliament to 200, along with slashing of number of members for Provincial plus Local councils. number of Cabinet ministers should be confined to 25 with another 20 as Deputy ministers. No more state ministers. This will reduce a substantial amount spent on redundant administrators. You can be the president under a West minister system on an understanding with SJB and JVP if you implement these changes genuinely.
Weakling president Friday, 24 November 2023 02:12 PM
If the president does not hold election, SL will lose all aid and development loans allocated for 2024 onwards. So he had better for the sake of our nation. But all depends whether his masters the rajapaksas will give him permission.
Sleazy president Friday, 24 November 2023 02:23 PM
Ranil take some swimming lessons if you are planning on cheating the people again.
sachith Friday, 24 November 2023 02:38 PM
poor man finally found enough money to hold election..
Buddhist Friday, 24 November 2023 04:37 PM
Ranil will not conduct the Presidential election. He will amend the constitution before that or go for a referendum.
Not a bad idead Friday, 24 November 2023 04:55 PM
This is not a bad idea. Ranil may like this idea, if he has not already thought about it..
Grace Friday, 24 November 2023 05:58 PM
Ranil has enjoyed the fruit of the power and wants to continue to taste the fruit by any means. If it so, he will have to enjoy only rotten fruits and continue to suffer from loose motion and will be forced to hold elections.
Kps Friday, 24 November 2023 06:38 PM
Looks like he is calling for a Ranil-Go- Home by 9th of July
Bankrupt Philosophy Friday, 24 November 2023 07:47 PM
Bankrupt philosophy will never allow to solve corrupt structural grave problems, all concerned are desperately trying to rectify with selfish attitudes, through existing 'democratic' mechanism. Budu Saranai.
ROSH Friday, 24 November 2023 09:05 PM
Of course unelected master debating president got no vision he loves tobe on mile high club making use of his double bed. He will be president who is unelected the world ever had .
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