Postal voting from March 28 to 31: EC

Postal voting for local government elections will be held from March 28 to 31, the Election Commission announced today (08). 

Chairman of the Commission Nimal Punchihewa told Timesonline that postal voting will take place on the above four days and local government election will be held on April 25.

An extraordinary gazette is to be issued formally announcing the local government election date as April 25.

Mr. Punchihewa said instructions have been sent to the Government Printer to continue printing ballot papers and other necessary documents.

He said funding for the upcoming elections will have to be allocated adhering to the Supreme Court order.

The Commission earlier postponed the elections which was to be held on March 09, citing lack of funds.

Last week the Supreme Court issued an interim order preventing the Finance Ministry Secretary and the Attorney General from withholding funds allocated by the 2023 Budget for the local government elections.

The court also issued a separate interim order preventing the withholding of funds allocated to the Government Printer for printing ballot papers.

A three-judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Janak De Silva and Priyantha Fernando issued the interim orders while giving leave to proceed to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.