News
Local council elections likely date at the end of April
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
As the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill is slated to be approved by Parliament tomorrow, the Election Commission is considering a timeline with a likely polling day in the last week of April.
The Supreme Court determination of the bill was announced in Parliament this week. The three-member bench ruled the bill could be enacted with certain amendments or wholly with a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
The bill provides for the calling of fresh nominations and the holding of elections in respect of local authorities where the elections of such local authorities have been called and postponed. It also stipulates that the Election Commission should begin measures to hold elections no later than three months from the date the Act comes into force.
The local council elections were fixed for March 9, 2023 but postponed by the previous government, citing lack of finances.
Once the new bill is passed and certified by the Speaker, it will clear the path for the Election Commission to call for fresh nominations, Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayaka said.
According to the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance and its subsequent amendments, including the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act No. 16 of 2017, nominations must be submitted within a designated period (typically between 14 and 17 days from the date of certification of the bill).
The election must be held within 66 days after the announcement of nominations, Mr. Ratnayake said.
The EC has urged unregistered voters to register to be eligible to vote in the local government election.
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