Date for LG elections next week – Commissioner

The Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya says a final decision will be arrived at with regards to the calling of local government elections and nominations by the end of next week.

However, he said the gazette notification should be issued by the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government prior to the decision.

The Local Government Election Bill was handed over to the Commission today by Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils Faizer Mustapha.

Speaking to media Chairman of the Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said the commission believes the gazette notification in this regard will be issued next week.

He said the commission believes that the Minister will issue the gazette notification in this regard by next Tuesday adding if this took place, on the 19th when the Commission convenes a date when nominations notice can be called will be determined.

He noted the voters list was finalized yesterday adding the commission needs a week to accurately separate the list into assigned Local Government Bodies and divisions.

Deshapriya said a completed list must now be formulated and the commission is confident that the gazette notification in this regard will take place before the end of this month.

He said the commission is confident the election can be held in January next year further remarking the decision lies with the Subject Minister and it is believed the Minister will hand the commission the reins in this regard on the 17th of this month.