Young voters petition Supreme Court: Seek fresh nominations for LG Polls

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court, seeking an order to prevent the Election Commission from holding the Local Authority Election without calling for fresh nominations. Eight youths, who became eligible voters for the first time in 2023, filed this petition, alleging that their Fundamental Rights would be violated if the Election Commission proceeds with the Local Authority Election using nominations accepted in 2023.  

The petitioners filed this petition concerning their franchise rights including their right to contest any election, which are guaranteed and enshrined under Article 12(1) and 14(1) (a) of the constitution. The petitioners state that there are few hundred thousand in the same circumstances as the petitioners.   

The petitioners believed that the Election Commission would take steps to hold the Local Authority elections and call for fresh new nominations to hold the local authority elections.  

They further stated that the Election Commission has not clarified as to whether fresh nominations will be called or election date will be notified on the nomination already received.  

The petitioners alleged that there is a possibility of holding the Local Authority Election based on the nominations already submitted without calling fresh nominations.  

They further stated that holding the local authority elections based on the nominations submitted in January 2023 would prevent them from contesting as they became eligible to run for office only this year after being registered as voters upon reaching the age of 18 for the 2023/24 voters registration.  

The Secretary to the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Commissioner General of Elections, Chairman and the members of the Election Commission and the Attorney General were named as the respondent of the petition. This petition had been filed through Attorney-at-Law M.I.M. Iynullah.