Former elections chief says EC can go ahead with local govt. polls as scheduled

But fresh delimitation work to take at least six months

By Rathindra Kuruwita

It would take the National Delimitation Committee (NDC) at least six months to finish its work, former elections chief and head of the NDC, Mahinda Deshapriya, said in Colombo, yesterday.Deshapriya said that the Elections Commission had already declared that Local Council elections would be held next year and that nominations called in late December.

“Our committee is a bit player when we compare it to the election commission. The commission says they will hold elections, and if the commission waits until we are done, they will have to postpone elections by at least six months. It’s very likely that our work will take longer than six months,” he said.

Deshapriya said there is no obstacle to holding Local Council elections. They had been entrusted with delimiting divisions for local government bodies to reduce the number of members, he said.The NDC was appointed with effect from 01 November 2022 and the term of the Committee will end on 28 February 2023.

Meanwhile, Director General of Elections Commission, Saman Sri Rathnayaka, said that they have to hold the Local Council elections, and declare the winners, by 19 March 2023.

“We will call for nominations soon and we can hold the election by 19 March,” he said.