UNP files writ application

1 February 2011 12:30 pm Views - 3462

The main opposition UNP today filed a Writ application challenging the rejection of its nomination papers tendered for the forthcoming Empilipitiya Urban Council election. The application was filed by party Secretary Tissa Attanayake citing the Elections Commissioner General, Empilipitiya Returning Officer P.A.S.Senaratne, JVP Secretary Tilvin Silva, Independent Group leaders Gnanasiri Bandara Angammana and Haritha Prabath Abeynayake as well as the Attorney General as Respondents..

Petitioner Attanayake in the petition said Abeynayake Piyadasa was appointed as the authorized agent of the UNP to the said Urban Council Election to tender the nomination papers of the UNP which contained 11 candidates including 4 youth candidates.

He said the Returning Officer verbally informed Abeynayake Piyadasa that his nomination was rejected as the name of one youth candidate had not been properly stated in the affidavit tendered by him together with the nomination paper.

The nomination paper was rejected as it did not comply with Section 31(1) (bbb) of the Local Authorities Act as amended by Act No. 25 of 1990.

The petitioner alleged that the decision of the Returning Officer to reject the nomination paper of the UNP for the Urban Council was illegal and unlawful.

He said he was entitled in law to obtain a Writ of Mandamus against the Commissioner General of Elections and the Returning Officer compelling them to accept the nomination paper submitted on behalf of the UNP in the said election. (S.S.Selvanayagam)