obliged to hold polls on time: EC

• Commissioner General says the gazette was released at district level on the agreement of all five members of the EC

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

Commissioner General of the Elections Commission (EC) Saman Sri Ratnayake while expressing his dismay and apprehension over speculation about a split among the board of directors of the EC yesterday categorically dismissed the misinformation and added that all decisions are taken by the Commission following extensive discussions and agreement among all members. 

“There is no doubt that some political parties, politicians and groups are unhappy and frightened by the action taken by the EC to call nominations for the Local Government polls. But the EC is obliged to conduct elections on time and thereby protect the voting rights of the people, which have been approved by the Supreme Court in several rulings. The EC as the legitimate and independent authority to hold free and fair elections in the country, has a constitutional obligation to hold elections on time. We are simply doing our job for the nation and no one must attempt to sabotage it,” Mr. Ratnayake told Daily Mirror.
The Gazette, issued last Wednesday (04) calling for nominations for the LG polls was released at district level on the agreement of all five members of the EC. All future decisions, planning and strategies pertaining to the election will also be taken with the collective agreement of all members of the EC, he added. 

“Interested parties are in a move to subvert the EC from conducting the LG polls, citing various ruses. The misinformation spread about a split among EC members was one of them,” Mr. Ratnayake noted.

Mr. Ratnayake charged that it was quite obvious that the news items suggesting disagreements among EC members have been planted by interested parties as there was no substantive source, official or politician who claims to have a split in the EC.  Mr. Ratnayake said anyone is free to contact Chairman of the EC, Mr. Nimal G Punchihewa or other members, Messrs. S.B. Divaratne, K. P.P. Pathirana, P.M.S. Charles and M.M. Mohamed to verify whether there is any disagreement among them on decisions taken by the EC, Mr. Ratnayake stressed.

• Interested parties are in a move to subvert the EC from conducting the LG polls, citing various ruses. The misinformation spread about a split among EC members was one of them