Mr. Nimal Punchiheva, Chairman of the Election Commission, says that those who do not understand the date of the Local Government Elections are still questioning about not being gazetted.
Question – Do you also have confidence that this election will be held on March 09?
“There is not a problem of trust here.” We have a legal obligation to fulfill as a commission. We are fulfilling that legal responsibility. Accordingly, we are planning to have the vote on March 09. All the necessary basic matters are being done.”
Question – Some had questioned why the gazette notification related to this was not issued?
“That is, the story has been told without understanding and without a full study of it. Because it is not the commission that announces the date of local government elections. It is declared by the election officers at the respective institution level. The commission gives approval on that date. The general tradition is that after receiving the nominations, the electoral officers in those areas announce a date according to that agreement. After that, only the date only cannot be gazette. When it is gazette, how many institutions, which parties are competing, who are the names of the candidates, what are the constituencies, all these are gazette with the schedule.
The Chairman of the Election Commission said this while participating in an interview program on Hiru TV channel.