The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has announced that a crucial discussion regarding the long-delayed local government elections will take place next week. This meeting comes amid growing concerns over the feasibility of holding the elections, given the financial constraints and other emerging challenges.
Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, highlighted the dire financial situation facing the commission. He revealed that the commission currently lacks the necessary funds to conduct the elections. According to Ratnayake, apart from the essential expenses already incurred in preparation for the election, the remaining funds have been returned to the Treasury, further exacerbating the financial difficulties.
In addition to the financial hurdles, Ratnayake pointed out several other issues that have surfaced since the election was first announced. Notably, he mentioned that some candidates who were nominated to run in the local government elections have since left the country. This has raised concerns about their eligibility and the integrity of the election process. Moreover, the chairman revealed that there have been reports of the deaths of certain candidates, which further complicates the situation.
Given these challenges, the upcoming discussion will focus on finding a way forward for the local government elections, addressing both the financial shortfall and the logistical issues arising from the departure and demise of some candidates. The outcome of this meeting will likely play a significant role in determining whether the elections can proceed as planned or if alternative measures will need to be considered.
The Election Commission’s decision to hold this special discussion underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a resolution to ensure that the democratic process is upheld. As the local government elections have been delayed multiple times, the upcoming week’s meeting is expected to be pivotal in charting a course for the future of these elections.
