PC polls: nominations to be accepted from July 12 to 19

Chaminda PERERA

Nominations from recognised political parties and independent groups for the Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Council election will be accepted from July 12 to 19 noon at District Secretaries, the Elections Department said yesterday.

The Department made this announcement few hours after the notice of dissolution of the Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Councils was published in the Gazette. The exact date of the election is to be announced after considering the number of nomination papers received during the period of accepting nominations from political parties and independent groups.

Deposits from political parties and independent groups are accepted till July 18 noon, the day prior to the last date of accepting nominations.

Department sources said another period to accept nominations will be declared if no nomination paper is received during this period. According to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, if one nomination paper is received and it is accepted by Department officials, that political party or independent group that submitted the list would be declared elected to the Provincial Council uncontested.

"If there is is a contest due to acceptance of more than one nomination, the election will be held on Saturday on September 1, 8 or 15," he said.