MP Abeywardena lauds polls chief's stance on PC polls

UPFA parliamentarian Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has lauded the Elections Commissioner's stance on conducting the Provincial polls this year.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday (Jan 29), MP Abeywardena said that the UNP has always had the need to postpone elections.

"We appreciate the Commissioner's stance on conducting the provincial polls this year" he remarked while referring to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya's statement on resigning from the said post if the polls were not held before November 10.

Mr. Abeywardena also called on the polls chief to endorse that the polls will be held this year since another member of the Elections Commission had gone before courts last year to prevent a general election from taking place.

The UPFA MP claimed that the provincial polls can be held once the Parliament approves the old electoral system. He said that a provision could be listed under the Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) act to conduct future polls as per the new system.

MP Abeywardena proceeded to explain that all parties were ready to face the election as per the old system except for the UNP.