Lack of funds obstructs holding LG Polls; EC tells SC

• Informs SC elections have been obstructed since required funds were not provided by the Secretary to the Treasury
• Points out it has never been the practice of the Government Printer to demand payment for the printing of ballot papers

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Election Commission yesterday informed the Supreme Court its effort to organize and conduct the Local Government elections has been obstructed since the required funds for the elections are not provided by the Secretary to the Treasury. Filing a motion before the Supreme Court, the Election Commission said due to the failure of the Secretary to the Treasury to provide necessary funds for the election and the failure on part of the Government Printer to release the ballot papers for the election, it is unable to conform with the undertaking given to the Supreme Court.  

On January 18, 2023 and February 10, 2023, the Election Commission gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court that it has taken steps according to law to conduct the Local Government Elections.  

 The Election Commission said circumstances have arisen which would prevent the Election Commission from acting according to the undertaking given to the Supreme Court due to circumstances entirely beyond the control of the Election Commission.  

The Election Commission brought to the Supreme Court’s attention that its effort to organize and conduct the said elections has been obstructed since the required funds for the elections are not provided by the Secretary to the Treasury. The Election Commission said it has been informed by the Secretary to the Treasury that he is unable to provide the necessary funds to conduct the said election. The Commission further said the Government Printer has informed the Commission that she is unable to release the ballot papers for the election until a sum of Rs.410.6 million is paid. However, the Election Commission informed that in previous elections it has never been the practice of the Government Printer to demand payment for the printing of ballot papers. The Commission further said the IGP has indicated that he required funds for the conduct of the election which are approximately three-fold of the funds previously provided to the Police during elections.  

The commission seeks that in view of the urgency of this motion that this be mentioned on the 23rd of February.