No need to seek court opinion on the election: President's Secretary

COLOMBO (News1st): President's Secretary P.B. Jayasundara, responding to the election commission, has said there is no need to seek the opinion of the supreme court on the date of conducting the general election. Chairman of the National Election Commission (NEC) Mahinda Deshapriya last week, requested the President to seek court opinion citing constitutional issues that can arise by delaying the election due to COVID - 19. Sri Lanka indefinitely postponed its general elections which were scheduled to be held on April 25 due to the situation surrounding the coronavirus. The election body has issued a gazette stating that the election would be held on any date after May 14. "...in terms of Section 24[3] of the Parliamentary Elections Act, the time period giving notice of adjourned poll is not less than 14 days; which implies that poll which was postponed, could be held even on 15th day," the President's Secretary wrote. He pointed out that the polls chief under the same section of the law is "obliged" to specify another day for conducting the poll. "The date for fixing the poll is the responsibility of the Election Commission and His Excellency has no wish to interfere with duties and obligations of the Election Commission," Jayasundara added. Accordingly, he noted that there was no need for the President to seek the determination of the supreme court in this regard.

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