Election Commission determined to go ahead with LG polls despite set backs

Chairman of Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa reiterated today that despite reports that one of its members tendered his resignation letter yesterday there was no official confirmation about the resignation, but the Commission will continue to carry out its tasks including final preparations for holding upcoming local polls as scheduled on March 9.

While denying the media reports that suggested he is also going to resign from his post, the Chair said both of four of total five Commissioners are of the view of holding the elections next month and there has been no disagreements among them.

One of the Commissioners of five -member Election Commission, P. M. S. Charles reportedly submitted her resignation letter to Presidential Secretariat yesterday. But the Commission in a statement this evening said they had not received such confirmation or a copy of the letter.

The report about resignation came in the wake Constitutional Council which met for the first time since inception decided to call for applications to fill the vacancies to all Independent Commissions including Election Commission at earliest. 

Meanwhile, Chair of Delimitation Commission Mahinda Deshapriya who held the post of former Chair of Election Commission stressed sudden resignation of a member in the Commission cannot be a hurdle for the Commission to go ahead with elections.