The Election Commission (EC) is to seek legal advice from Attorney General (AG) President’s Counsel Sanjay Rajaratnam on whether it has the power to declare the Local Government (LG) elections following the adoption of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.
Speaking to The Morning, Election Commission Chairman and Attorney Nimal Punchihewa yesterday (7) stated: “There are some legal problems regarding which we have to get advice on from the AG. Under the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, the tenure of all Independent Commissions will expire. Then, for an interim period, administrative matters could be carried out. However, declaring of the election is a major matter. We have the power to take decisions on major matters. Regardless, we have to get the legal view of the AG as to whether, under the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, we can declare elections,” he added.
Earlier, Punchihewa told The Morning that a declaration regarding the date of the LG elections will be made by early next year (2023) by the Election Commission. He noted: “Our expectation is to hold the local government elections before 20 March 2023.”