Polls for 60 LG bodies postponed

Daya Perera

The Commissioner of Elections has decided to postpone the elections of 60 local bodies as cases have been filed following the rejection of nominations for these local bodies. The Elections Secretariat said that although elections were to be held on March 17 for 301 local bodies earlier, only 241 local bodies will have elections held on that date as scheduled.

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake last Friday instructed all Assistant District Election Commissioners to wind up all official functions with regard to those 60 local bodies.

Deputy Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said that after all the election cases were concluded a suitable date would be fixed for elections to those 60 Local Government institutions.

The following are the local bodies where elections will not be held on March 17. Kaduwela Municipal Council, Maharagama Urban Council, Kesbewa Urban Council, Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha, Minuwangoda Pradeshiya Sabha, Attanagalle Pradeshiya Sabha, Agalawatte Pradeshiya Sabha, Akmeemana Pradeshiya Sabha, Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha, Matara Pradeshiya Sabha, Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha, Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha, Harispattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Wilgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, Ukuwela Pradeshiya Sabha, Lindula Talawakele Urban Council, Mawathagama Pradeshiya Sabha, Nikaweratiya Pradeshiya Sabha, Polgahawela PS, Chilaw Urban Council and PS, Wennappuwa PS, Navagattegama PS, Rajanganaya PS, Galnewa PS, Central Nuwaragam Palatha PS, Welikanda PS, Hingurakgoda PS, Elahera PS, Siyamabalanduwa PS, Moneragala PS, Embilipitiya Urban Council, Balangoda PS, Ratnapura PS, Weligepola PS, Warakapola PS, Kegalle Urban Council, Kuchchaveli UC, Seruwila PS, Kantale PS and 16 bodies in Jaffna and three in Kilinochchi.

The Election Secretariat expressed hope that elections for these 60 local bodies could be held on March 17 if the judicial proceedings with regard to the rejection of nominations are concluded before February 24.