EC to seek AG’s opinion on validity of Parliamentary Election nominations

Monday, 4 May 2020 02:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Party representatives who met EC on Saturday question validity of nominations received on days that were declared holiday
Three days on which nominations were received were declared holidays by Govt. due to COVID-19
Parliamentary Election Act says nominations must be received during normal working hours

By Chandani Kirinde

The Election Commission will write to the Attorney General today to get his opinion on the validity of the nominations handed over to contest the General Election after several party leaders who attended a meeting with the EC on Saturday raised questions about the process running contrary to the provisions of the election law.

Under the provisions of the Parliamentary Election Act of 1981, nominations must be received by the returning officer during normal office hours. The problem has arisen as the last three days when nominations were received were declared holidays due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, but the EC allowed nominations to be handed over during those days.

Several of the representatives of parties that are contesting the election who met the EC had raised the issue about the validity of the nominations accepted during these days that were declared holidays by the Government.

Public Administration Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon in a special Gazette notification declared three days –17, 18 and 19 March — as special public holidays to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. However, nominations were accepted on these days as 19 March as the last day for handing in the papers.

Commission sources said that they will seek the opinion of the AG to clarify this matter.

At the discussion held on Saturday, party representatives discussed the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and the preparations for the election which is scheduled to be held on 20 June.

The EC has said they will evaluate the situation in the next few days before deciding on whether to postpone the poll further or hold it on 20 June.