Holding of LG polls SC says order not needed as EC has given undertaking to hold polls

11 February 2023 12:00 am Views - 74

 By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Supreme Court yesterday observed that there is no  necessity of issuing a Writ of Mandamus to hold the Local Government  Election as the Election Commission has already given an undertaking to  hold the Election in terms of the Laws.  


Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices S.  Thurairaja, A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Shiran Goonaratne observed that issuing  of writ of Mandamus compelling the Election Commission to hold the  election does not arise since the Election Commission has given an  undertaking to hold the election as planned.   


Two writ petitions filed by a group of parliamentarians  including Prof. G.L. Peiris, who sought an order to hold the Local  Government Election yesterday, moved the Supreme Court to terminate case  proceedings since the Election Commission has given an undertaking to  hold the Election.  

Accordingly, the Supreme Court permitted for the  termination of case proceedings in respect of these two writ petitions.  According to these arrangements, there will be no barrier for the  Election Commission to proceed with the election process.  


Romesh de Silva PC appeared for Prof. G.L. Peiris. Sanjeeva  Jayawardena PC with Lakmini Warusevitane appeared for the four  parliamentarians. Saliya Pieris PC appeared for the Election Commission.