Chairman of the National Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday (16) stated that no decision has been taken to postpone the general election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Deshapriya made this observation after a meeting between the health officials and officials of the Election Commission.
The Commission has revealed that the health authorities have informed the Elections Commission that there is no serious situation in the country to postpone the election.
Accordingly, nominations will be accepted today (17), tomorrow (18) and day after tomorrow (19).
Due to the coronavirus situation, the Election Commission requests the political party secretaries, independent group leaders and authorized representatives to send only the authorized persons to the election office to hand over the nominations.
The Election Commission emphasizes that only the Secretary or the authorized representative of a politic party or Independent Group Leader and the second person on the nomination list can enter the nomination hall. In addition, only one assistant can be brought to the nomination hall, Deshapriya said.
However, it is highly appreciated that the nominee and one other person comes in for the nomination process instead of the maximum number allowed, the EC Chief added.
Deshapriya also urged the political parties to avoid calling for supporters, gathering, and marching around the nomination halls as the parades and illegal meetings are prohibited under election law and also due to the need to protect the public from the COVID-19 threat to the country.
Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya has made a special request to political party leaders, candidates and political activists to refrain from holding public rallies and public meetings for the next 10 days to protect against coronavirus pandemic.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
