Protect democracy, hold LG polls without delay: Eran

The main Opposition SJB says that ther Government and the President are moving to deny people the chance to vote in a bid to cling on to power.Addressing a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne said despite the Elections Commission setting a date for acceptance of nominations and payment of sureties by contesting parties, a letter signed by an official of the Ministry of Local Government has directed returning officers to not accept payments until further notice.

“No one can work outside the framework of the Constitution. Not even the President can override the directive of the Elections Commission. But here we have a Cabinet directive to disrupt the process set out by the Commission. No one must disrupt the democratic process of this country, even if it is not beneficial to a single party or person. To disrupt such process can bring about grave consequences,” Wickremaratne said.

He said that the ruling SLPP was engaged in theatrics to showcase the party was preparing for a poll, but instead it really hopes to scupper the poll. He also scoffed at reports the country cannot afford an election, when it would only cost Rs. 10 billion in comparison to estimated State expenditure of over Rs. 8 trillion this year.

Wickremaratne said that the SLPP is afraid to face elections, and that any person or party that has not engaged in corruption should not be afraid to go before their constituents. Politicians must not be allowed to play with the constitutional rights of the people in order to protect power, he said.