Term of office of 344 local authorities end

Deshapriya explains why polls should not be delayed

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

The term of office of 344 local authorities ended at midnight on Sunday and Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities, Mahinda Deshapriya said that it is not appropriate for local government polls to be delayed and that the possibility of holding local government polls on April 25 are grim.

“As the term of office of local government bodies expires on Sunday (March 19), it is essential that polls are conducted as soon as possible,” he said.
He said that no matter what the situation, it is not appropriate for LG polls to be delayed beyond the stipulated time.

The Chairman said that it is not appropriate to run these Pradeshiya Sabhas for a long time under the control of officials.

“I hope that these polls will be held at least within three to four months. It is good if the LG polls can be held on April 25. But now it seems that it is difficult. Because even for postal voting, the Election Commission does not receive the ballots from the Government Printing Department,” he said.
Accordingly, the official vehicles given to the Mayors and Chairmen of those institutions should be returned.

According to the Local Authorities Act, elections should have been held before today and new members should have been appointed. However, since elections couldn’t have been held before the term of office expires, the power of the local authorities will be placed under the Commissioners.  

Accordingly, the power of the 29 Municipal Councils will be transferred to the Municipal Commissioners, and the power of the 36 Urban Councils and the 275 local councils will be transferred to the Secretaries of those institutions.