Documents already prepared to seek legal redress if polls delayed: PAFFREL

Thursday, 29 December 2022 00:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said it has already prepared the necessary documentation to go to courts if the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) attempts to further delay Local Government polls in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the Daily FT, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the organisation along with several other groups and parties are prepared to seek legal redress if the elections are delayed by the ECSL.

The local independent election monitoring group said it will file a petition before the Supreme Court if the date for elections is not set by 5 January as the ECSL has already failed to keep to their pledge to announce the poll date by the end of December.

According to Hettiarachchi, the ECSL cannot delay elections any further legally despite the situation and circumstances in the country. “Even in a disaster situation legally the ECSL will not be able to delay the polls any further. If any delay has to be made in such a situation even then it will be outside of the election laws in Sri Lanka. Not even in a flood or small-scale disaster situation can the ECSL delay elections now,” he added.

EC Chief assures LG polls before 10 March amidst threats of legal action over delays