The National People’s Power (NPP) has filed three separate writ petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers submitted for the 2025 local government elections pertaining to the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha, Medawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabha, and Damana Pradeshiya Sabha.
The writ petitions were submitted by NPP Secretary Nihal Abeysinghe and several others, naming the relevant Returning Officers, District Election Officers, the Chairman of the Election Commission, its members, and several other parties as respondents.
According to the petitioners, they are seeking an interim order prohibiting the relevant Returning Officers from proceeding with the 2025 Local Government Elections for these three Pradeshiya Sabhas, which are scheduled to be held on May 6th.
The petitioners have stated that the nomination papers submitted by the NPP for the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha were rejected on several grounds, including the failure to submit certified copies of birth certificates or affidavits verifying the date of birth of candidates nominated as youth candidates. This omission is alleged to be inconsistent with Sections 28(4a), 28(2a), and 31(1)(e) of the Local Government Elections Ordinance.
Furthermore, the petitioners claim that the nomination papers submitted for the Medawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabha were rejected due to the failure to verify the signatures of all candidates in accordance with the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. This oversight is stated to be inconsistent with Section 28(4) of the Local Government Elections Ordinance.
The petitions were filed through Attorney Manjula Balasuriya and are currently awaiting further proceedings.
