EC prepared to hold Local Govt polls in April

The Election Commission (EC) will be able to hold the local government election before the April 14 National New Year provided Parliament passed the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said.

The bill, which was tabled in Parliament earlier this month, paves the way for the calling of fresh nominations and the holding of the election. It will also allow the cancellation of the previous nominations submitted for the election in 2023.

Mr Rathnayake said the EC estimates that between Rs. 8 billion to Rs. 10 billion will be required for the poll given that elections will have to be held for 340 local bodies.

He pointed out that the EC will have to print ballot papers for all 340 local authorities and this was “a lot of work.” The Commission has already held discussions with the Government Printer with the aim of commencing the printing of certain material needed for the election that can be done early, he revealed.  

A supplementary electoral register will also be added to the 2024 electoral register during the upcoming election. This will add some 78, 000 new voters to the register.

Meanwhile, a Finance Ministry official said that there will be no issue in providing funding for local government polls without delay. The upcoming Budget 2025 will allocate funds for the election, the official further added.