Presidential Election to be declared at July end: EC Chairman

Colombo, July 9 (Daily Mirror) - The Election Commission will declare the Presidential Elections only at the end of this month, enabling polling to be taken on a day between September 17 and October 17, an official said.

In terms of the Constitution, the Presidential Election is required to be concluded on a date, not less than one month and not more than two months, before ending the term of office of the President. The current presidential term is set to expire by November 18. The election should be completed before October 18 for the election of a new President within the stipulated time.

The Commission’s Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told Daily Mirror that nominations would be accepted from prospective candidates on a day not less than 16 days and not more than 21 days. After that, polling should take place on a day after four weeks and six weeks before.

In its preparations for the election, the Commission has called for a meeting today with the Inspector General of Police, the Postmaster General and the Government Printer to discuss arrangements for the conduct of the election.

“We have to discuss security arrangements, postal delivery of poll cards and other related documents and printing them today,” he said.