Due to the reduction in members in local government bodies, a delimitation committee has been appointed; however, the delimitation committee cannot be used to postpone the local government election, according to Mr. Nimal G Punchihewa, Chairman of the Election Commission.
The Chairman stated this during the 24th district-level dialogue series held by the Electoral Commission on behalf of the Gampaha district to formally implement the proposals of the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee.
According to the chairman, increasing the number of members of local government bodies by 40% in 2017 is pointless, and the Election Commission is not impressed.
Mr. Nimal Punchihewa went on to say that the Commission does not agree to postpone voting because of the imposition of limits, and that it also does not agree to delegate power to local government officials rather than people’s representatives.