Colombo Municipal Council elections:

Twenty four independent groups in the fray

Chaminda PERERA

Twenty four independent groups will vie for 59 slots in the Colombo Municipal Council.

These independent groups contesting for Colombo Municipal Council had forwarded their deposits by 12 noon yesterday.

The period granted by the Elections Department for the independent groups to make their deposits with the respective returning officers ended at 12 noon yesterday.

The independent groups contesting the local government election are required to forward a deposit of Rs 250 for each candidate contesting under the respective groups.

According to Deputy Elections Commissioner M M Mohammed, seven independent groups contesting the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council have made their deposits with the Department by yesterday.

Thirty five members are to be elected to the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council. Independent groups are contesting the remaining 23 local government bodies which include Colombo, Kotte, Dehiwala, Gampaha and Mount Lavinia Municipal Councils.

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya will declare the election date for the remaining 23 local government bodies today – the last day of accepting nominations from the recognized political parties for the election.