LG polls: Petition filed by Mujibur LG to be taken up today

A petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) Colombo mayoral candidate Mujibur Rahman seeking an order that the upcoming Local Government (LG) election is held without any hindrances will be taken up today before the Supreme Court.  

The petition filed on 24 January has named a total of 35 respondents including the Election Commission Chairman, Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa, members of the Commission, the Attorney General and the Cabinet of Ministers and its Secretary.

The petitioner is seeking a declaration that his Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 12(1) and 14(1)(a) have been infringed and or the likelihood of imminent infringement. 

The petition also noted that a sum of Rs. 10 billion has been allocated to the Election Commission for the holding of elections in 2023. 

This petition had been filed through Attorney-at-Law Sithara Sampath Wijewardena. Rahman vacated his parliamentary seat on 21 January in order to contest for the post of Mayor of Colombo in the upcoming election.