Practical issues ahead in conducting PC polls this year - Official

An elections secretariat official has warned of implementational issues in conducting the provincial council elections this year although the Supreme Court is due to issue a verdict regarding the manner in which to conduct the polls.

According to the official, the Election Commission (EC) would face practical challenges while organizing the much delayed provincial elections since the presidential elections are expected to be held by the end of this year as well.

Further, the official said that there would be issues with regard to election campaigning since political parties will have to engage in campaigning activities for both elections.

The President has sought a Supreme Court determination on whether the provincial elections could be held under the proportional representation system that existed before the Provincial Council (Amendment) Act was passed in 2017.

The Supreme Court is expected to take up the hearing in this matter before the end of this month.

(Reporting by Damith Wickramasekara)

Related story

President seeks SC opinion on conduct of PC polls

PC polls: Deshapriya urges President to go to court