No LG polls on 25 April: ECSL

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has announced that the Local Government polls will not be held on 25 April as scheduled. 

Issuing a statement yesterday the ECSL said it was unable to hold the election as it has not received the necessary funds and due to other issues not under the control of the ECSL. 

The ECSL said a date for the polls will be decided after it receives a confirmation on the date it will receive the necessary funds and based on the decisions by the courts on cases relating to the delaying of the elections. The ECSL assured the people it is currently taking all necessary steps to hold the elections. 

Members of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena earlier this week to discuss matters relating to the Local Government elections. Following this the ECSL held a key meeting with its members on Tuesday to further discuss the same. 

Last month the ECSL also postponed the postal vote for the Local Government election indefinitely. Accordingly, the ECSL announced that the vote scheduled to take place from 28 -30 March and 3 April will not go ahead as planned. It was also been predicted that the Local Government poll set for 25 April will likely be delayed as the Treasury has failed to release the funds required despite repeated requests by the ECSL and the Government Printer.