News
New date on the cards for local council polls
View(s):- EC chairman says he will be compelled to reschedule polls if funds don’t come
By Damith Wickramasekara
The Election Commission will be compelled to reconsider a new date for scheduled local council elections by next week if a solution is not found to the issue of funding, EC Chairman Nimal Punchihewa told the Sunday Times.
His comments come against the backdrop of the Cabinet this week approving a proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Finance Minister, not to use any surplus Treasury funds other than for five areas which have been prioritised.
These areas are the purchase of paddy from farmers during the
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Maha season; expenditure related to minimising malnutrition among children and pregnant mothers; gratuity payments; settlement of outstanding bills pertaining to the Decentralised Budget programme; and any other essential expenditure, as found necessary and approved by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies.
The Cabinet paper had been submitted after the EC’s request to the Treasury that any surplus government revenue be directed to the Commission to continue with preparations for the local council elections.
Mr Punchihewa said the EC was awaiting a resolution to the funding from the Treasury and also the outcome of the Supreme Court case to take a decision on the date of the elections.
The EC met with Treasury officials led by Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana on Friday. The Treasury officials informed the EC that they could not ensure continuous funding for the local council elections.
During Friday’s meeting, Treasury officials handed over to EC a copy of a February 13-dated Cabinet paper titled “Managing essential Public Services in keeping with the expected Government revenue.”
The Cabinet paper, submitted by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, noted that there would be a marginal surplus of government revenue by the end of February.
The revenue, however, can only be utilised to meet expenditure on a priority basis for five key areas, according to the proposal approved by the Cabinet.
The decision on releasing any such surplus revenue to the EC under “essential expenditure” would have to be made by President Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Finance Minister, the EC was told.
Treasury officials are to meet again tomorrow to explore if there is any way to allocate more funds to the EC for the conduct of the elections.
A senior Treasury official noted that their hands were tied by the Cabinet decision. “We can propose the EC’s request to the President, but ultimately, the decision on releasing any surplus funds to the EC is his.”
Mr Punchihewa said the EC was still hoping for a positive response from the Treasury.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, a three-judge Supreme Court bench will further consider a fundamental rights petition filed by a retired army colonel requesting that the elections be postponed on account of the prevailing economic crisis.
Depending on the outcome of tomorrow’s discussion at the Treasury and the Supreme Court’s decision on the FR petition on Thursday, the EC will meet to make a final decision on whether it can go ahead with the local council elections as planned. The EC Chairman conceded there was a likelihood of the poll date having to be pushed back.
The EC needs Rs. 800 million for election related-work in February, but only Rs. 165 million has so far been released by the Treasury, Elections Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said.
About Rs. 300 million is required for immediate payments including payments to the Government Printer.
Government Printer Gangani Liyanage informed the Commission this week that her department could not complete the printing of postal ballots as she had not received the necessary funds.
The EC was forced to delay postal voting indefinitely due to the “sudden and unexpected decision” by the Government Printer to ask for payment upfront, Mr Ratnayake said, pointing out that the EC had always settled bills due to the Government Printer after an election.
Ms Liyanage also asked the EC on Friday to ensure that adequate police protection was provided to her department, and the Commission has forwarded her request to the Inspector General asking him to take necessary action.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the EC also issued a circular to District Returning Officers giving new instructions on administrative functions regarding the election.
This included instructions to revert to normal working hours from February 20 and to keep the main district election office and other election offices closed on weekends and government holidays.
Returning Officers have also been instructed to temporarily release any additional staff and vehicles that had been deployed to their offices for election-related work back to their permanent workplaces.
| President hints of elections next year President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday declared the country would be able to decide on their future next year, with the use of the ballot, after the recovery of the economy. The President addressing a Rotary District Conference said his priority was the country’s economic recovery. | |
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