EC denies claim that it is divided on LG polls

By Chaminda Silva

The Election Commission (EC) only needs five billion rupees to hold the local council election despite claims by many sections that the polls would cost the state 10 billion rupees, Chairman of the Commission, Nimal G. Punchihewa, said.

Punchihewa also denied claims by the government that the EC members were divided over the conduct of the LG polls amidst the present crisis.

Punchihewa said that the Commission had taken steps to hold the election and the IGP had assured them that there was no problem with providing security for the poll.

“It will cost five billion rupees to hold the LG polls. After the elections, we have to pay for officers on election duty, this can be calculated after the election is held”, he said.

EC Chairman Punchihewa said that a delimitation committee under former head of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya was working towards reducing the number of local councillors. However, the existence of that Commission would have no impact on the process of holding elections, he said.

“We have already told the President how we will hold the election. There is no need to meet him again, I think. There is also no divided opinion among the EC members on holding the poll. We have not expressed different opinions at any forum,” he said.

The Chairman said they were accepting deposits from parties and would start accepting nominations soon.