Act upon SC verdict on LG polls: NPP requests EC

The National People's Power (NPP) has requested the Elections Commission to take necessary measures immediately with regard to the Local Government election based on the Supreme Court verdict and fix an early date for the election.

NPP Secretary Dr Nihal Abeysinghe in a letter to the Elections Commission said the Supreme Court in its verdict has observed that conducting the LG polls is a fundamental human right considering the importance of the said election.

He said the Elections Commission postponed the LG polls citing that tasks pertaining to the elections could not be carried out as required funds were not released by the Treasury Secretary and the Finance Ministry.

Dr. Abeysinghe said however, the Supreme Court has issued an order preventing the President as the Finance Minister and Treasury Secretary from withholding funds allocated for the LG polls through the 2023 budget and to release required funds to the Government Printer.

This verdict clearly shows that the Supreme Court has observed that conducting the LG polls is a fundamental human right considering the importance of the LG polls.

He said therefore, they request the Election Commissions to take immediate measures with regard to the Local Government election based on the Supreme Court verdict and fix an early date for the election. (Ajith Siriwardana)