Political parties should reach consensus and avoid referendum – EC Chairman

By PRIYAN DE SILVA

Election Commission (EC) Chairman Nimal Punchihewa said yesterday that it would be prudent for all political parties to reach a consensus on the proposed electoral reforms and avoid holding a referendum at a time the country was struggling to take care of the basic needs of the people.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Sunday, said that a referendum would be held for the people to decide on electoral reforms, if the Select Committee to be established failed to reach a decision on the matter, by July next year.

On being asked about the upcoming Local government poll, the EC Chairman said that the next LG elections were due before 20th March, 2023, and as the term of the LG authorities, which ended in March 2022, was extended for a further period of one year (until 19th March 2023), by the then Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, as stipulated in the Local Government Act, no further extension was possible and the ECSL had the powers to hold the election before 20th March 2023.

Punchihewa said that the ECSL would commence preparations for elections at least three months in advance.