Gammanpila tells Govt. to postpone LG polls

The government should not hold the local government polls in the midst of the GCE ordinary level examination next year, said PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila.

Speaking to the media at the party office today (23), he referred to the president’s announcement the election would be held before Sinhala New Year.

By saying so, the president showed his lack of understanding in formulating laws, said Gammanpila.

The government has failed to submit a single-page act in this regard even three weeks after the cabinet decided to annual the election nominations for 03 December, he said.

Even if the cabinet approves it today, their meeting’s report gets approved only on 31 December and if it is gazetted on the same day, a two-week period should be given for the people to study it before its presentation to parliament.

So, it cannot be tabled in the House any time before 14 January. The next parliament session is due on 21 January.

If it is tabled on that day, another two weeks are given for any legal challenges.

In the event of it not taken to courts, parliament can debate and pass it on 05 February only.

After its passage, two more days are needed for the speaker to sign it into law.

So, the act becomes law and the nominations get annulled on 07 February.

If the Election Commission meets on the next day and fixes a fresh election date, that can be announced on 09 February.

The nearest date nominations can be accepted is from 23 February and it could go on till the 26th.

As per the law, the election should take place between five and seven weeks from the closing date for nominations.

Five weeks from 26 February is 02 April and with the act specifying it to be a Saturday, the election should be held on 05 April.

That’s why the president said the election would take place before the New Year, said Gammanpila.

But, one thing was forgotten when doing so, that the all-important GCE ordinary level exam is due from 05 March to 05 April.

With around 100,000 candidates contesting, the LG polls would be the noisiest election of all.

The arising chaotic situation would adversely impact the children who sit for the exam.

So, Gammanpila suggested holding the election towards the end of May.