Elections must go ahead regardless of delimitation exercises: Deshapriya

Elections must be held regardless of the activities to demarcate wards for local authorities, Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee Mahinda Deshapriya said.

“The Election Commission has indicated that election would be held, while allowing the delimitation committee to carry out its duty,” he said.

Deshapriya said that if elections are to be held once the work on demarcation is completed, elections would be further delayed by six months.

“With our duties, the existing members of LG Bodies which is around 8,800 at present, could be reduced to between 5,100 and 5,200, by February 20,” he said.

However, Deshapriya noted that this system is unlikely to come into effect with the forthcoming election.