The Attorney General has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission yesterday (04) that the Elections Commission has the responsibility of holding the next parliamentary election, following the provisions of the Elections Act.
The Attorney General, President’s Counsel Dappula de Livera has advised the Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya that it is appropriate to hold the next parliamentary election in accordance with the election law.
The Attorney General has given this response a day after the Election Commission sought his advice to clarify whether it was legal to submit nominations for the 2020 general election on a day that was declared as a holiday by the government due to the coronavirus pandemic that erupted when dates for election have already been scheduled.
March 17, 18 and 19 were declared as government holidays while the dates for the general election were scheduled and the nomination papers were being accepted.
In spite of this, the government accepted the nominations for the general election and various parties disputed it.
Considering the views of various stakeholders, the Chairman of the Elections Commission, had asked the Attorney General for advice on the legal background of the matter and the Attorney General had given this advice.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
