EC wants President to seek Supreme Court determination on general election

COLOMBO (News1st): The National Elections Commission (NEC) has requested the President to seek a determination from the Supreme Court on conducting the general elections, owing to the current situation concerning COVID - 19 in the country. In a letter to President's Secretary P.B. Jayasundara, the polls body said failing to reconvene the Parliament on time if the pandemic continues, would create a constitutional crisis. The NEC noted that the new Parliament cannot be convened on June 1, as required by the constitution, which states that the new Parliament should be convened three months from dissolving the old Parliament. The Parliament was dissolved on March 2. NEC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, in the letter, said if the new Parliament is to be convened on June 1, the general election must be held on May 27 or 28, and that the preparation for the poll should commence on April 20. However, the polls chief citing the opinions of health experts said it is unlikely that the coronavirus can be contained by April. He stressed that if the preparation for the poll should begin in April, all those involved in the election process including state officials should be able to execute their duties without any fear or obstructions. Considering these circumstances, the NEC Chairman recommended that it would be more appropriate to obtain the advice of the Attorney General in this regard.