Will not allow presidential poll to be delayed: G.L.

• Says Opposition will work together to prevent delay in holding polls
• Claims his party is ready to help Govt. hold presidential elections early
• Notes society which has no elections cannot be identified as a democratic society
• Slams President’s claim that people are not keen on polls

Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) member MP Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday said the Opposition will not allow for the presidential elections to be delayed. “The Opposition will act together to prevent such an occurrence,” he said.

The MP noted that the next presidential election must be held in October 2023. “If not, a referendum must be held,” he added.

Peiris said the FPC is ready to support the Government in its efforts to hold the presidential election before the scheduled time period. “The Opposition has joined hands to protect the people’s sovereignty,” he said.

The MP also expressed his refusal to agree with the President’s viewpoint that the populace of a democratic country lacks interest in elections.

“A society which has no elections cannot be identified as a democratic society,” he said, adding that the President last week made the most severe comment on the country’s political culture. “He suggested that the people have no interest in polls and that elections hold no importance,” he noted.

“A ruler which says no to elections is not one that respects the mandate of the people,” he added. The MP stressed that anyone ruling a country without the approval of the people is a dictator. He said the President’s statement only bolstered the behaviour of the Government which seemingly appeared to be anti-elections.