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Monday, 16 March 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Election Commission officials will meet with health authorities today to discuss the possible implications of the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on the upcoming polls, though there are no plans to postpone. An EC official said that the meeting with officials of the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry was to discuss measures that should be put in place in view of the increasing number of persons being confirmed with COVID-19.
“There is no discussion as of now on postponing the election and the EC is going ahead with the arrangements to hold the polls on 25 April,” the official said.
In a related development, the Election Commission said yesterday it will not accept deposits nor nominations papers for the upcoming General Election today, in view of today being declared a public holiday, but will commence doing so on 17, 18 and 19 of March.
Nominations and deposits will be accepted on 17 and 18 March during office hours, while on 19 March, it will be between 8.30 a.m. and 12 noon, the official said.
A total of 150 independent groups have paid deposits to contest the upcoming General Election while eight political parties and eight independent groups have handed in their nomination papers.
The EC also said yesterday if independent groups or political parties handing over nominations plan to use their political offices for the promotion of candidates from other parties or groups, this will not be allowed. “Parties or independent groups that are not serious about contesting the election but are submitting nominations through political parties or independent groups with the sole intention of extending their support to another party or a candidate, will not be allowed to do as anticipated, “ the EC said.
The Commission also extended the date for the sending of applications for postal votes which was to end today till midnight on 17 March Tuesday. (CK)
