A significant mistake in the scheduling of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary general election could result in the date being adjusted. According to government sources, the originally announced date of November 14 is under scrutiny due to a miscalculation in the election timetable as per the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The issue stems from Section 10 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which dictates the timeline for setting a polling date. The Act specifies that the election must take place not less than five weeks and not more than seven weeks from the end of the nomination period. Nominations for the general election were accepted from October 4 to October 11, meaning the valid period for holding the election falls between November 15 and November 29.
As a result, experts have pointed out that scheduling the election for November 14 falls outside the legally mandated period, creating a potential violation of the election law and, by extension, the sovereignty of the people. Legal scholars have raised concerns about this oversight, which could prompt the Election Commission to take action.
The Election Commission is reportedly aware of the issue and is seeking legal advice on how to proceed. If the polling date is found to indeed violate the law, the Commission is expected to issue a new gazette notification to announce a revised election date. The change, if confirmed, would push the election back by at least a day to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
This potential adjustment comes as the country prepares for a crucial election, with political parties and candidates already in the midst of their campaigns. The uncertainty over the election date could add a layer of complexity to the process, potentially impacting campaign strategies and voter turnout.
As the legal review continues, further updates are anticipated, with a final decision on the election date expected soon.
