Govt. trying to set up committee to run local councils – Election monitors

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) says the government is trying to appoint a special committee to run the local government institutions.PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the government move would create a situation where the local government bodies would be under the Executive President.

“Election monitors hope that the issue will be taken up at the forthcoming meeting between the National Election Commission members and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena,” Hettiarachchi said.

The Election Commission (EC) has requested Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene in writing for a discussion regarding holding the 2023 local government election. EC Commission, Nimal G. Punchihewa said that the request had been made to discuss the issues pertaining to the 2023 LG polls, which have been postponed twice this year alone.PM Dinesh Gunawardene told parliament last week that he had decided to call the commission for a discussion on matters related to the LG polls.