SC re-issues EC notice on petition seeking PC polls

Saturday, 9 March 2019 00:01 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

  • Petitioners seek Court intervention for holding delayed PC elections

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Supreme Court yesterday directed the Petitioners to re-issue notice on the Election Commission and deferred the Writ Petition for 29 March.

The Bench comprised Justices Sisira J. De Abrew, Prasanna S. Jayawardena and P. Padman Surasena. The Writ Petition was filed by six petitioners, the members of Sathya Gaveshakayo (‘Truth Seekers’) organisation.

The Petitioners cited the Election Commission, its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, its members Nalin Abeysekara and Ratnajeewa Hoole as Respondents

They are seeking an Order from the Court in the nature of Writ of Mandamus directing the Election Commission to hold the Provincial Council Elections in respect of Sabaragamuwa, North Central, Eastern, Central, Wayamba and Northern Provincial Councils.

They are also seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take action required by Article 104 B of the Constitution read with Provincial Council Act No.2 of 1988 as it stood prior to the enactment of the Act No.17 of 2017 for the election of members Sabaragamuwa, North Central, Eastern, Central, Wayamba and Northern Provincial Councils.

They point out that the six Provincial Councils of which terms of office have ended have already been dissolved.

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