Polls monitor condemns threat to members of EC and fear plot to postpone LG poll

Text  by PRIYAN DE SILVA

Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies, Manjula Gajanayake, condemned the threatening of two members of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka – K.P.P. Pathirana (a former Senior DIG of Police) and S.B. Divarathne (a former Senior Deputy Secretary at the Treasury), on Wednesday evening.

Gajanayake said that threatening members of the EC may be a sinister plan to postpone the forthcoming local government poll because if, at his juncture, three members of the EC resign, due to threats, the Election Commission

would not have a quorum. According to the Constitution, members of the Election Commission have to be named by the Constitutional Council, which has not been formed as at date.

The question arises as to whether the Commissioner General of Elections has the power to continue with the election process as an election has already been called? The matter may have to be determined by Court which also may delay holding the election.Handing over nominations for the local government poll will close at 12 noon on Saturday, 21st January, 2023, after which the date of the poll will be announced.