EC capable of handling General, Presidential Elections simultaneously: Mahinda Deshapriya

• Says it requires only 52 days from proclamation to conclude a snap General Election

By Kelum Bandara

Former Election Commission’s Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday Sri Lanka’s Election Commission is capable of handling both the Presidential and General Elections simultaneously.

Making his remarks to Daily Mirror over speculations about the purported plans for a general election, he said the Commission needs only 52 days to conclude the conduct of a snap General Election since the day of its proclamation.

He said the Commission boasts of two officials who worked previously as Commissioner Generals of the Election Department, and they are dynamic and energetic.

“Let’s assume the Presidential Election is to be concluded before the end of September 30 per se! The general election can be conducted before that. It is always possible to handle two elections simultaneously,” he said.