Election Commission part of conspiracy to delay LG polls – Anura Kumara Dissaanayake

Leader of the National People's Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake voiced concern in Parliament citing suspicions that the National Elections Commission could also be plotting to delay the local government elections.

Leader of the National People's Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that new local government bodies must be established before the 20th of March 2023, and to keep with the process nominations need to be called for by end of December, or early January.

The Parliamentarian said that the respective gazette must be issued by the National Elections Commission, and the NEC is already empowered to declare the elections.

He said that the National Elections Commission is directing certain matters for the advice of the Attorney General, however, questioned the basis of doing so when the National Election Commission itself is governed by an established act.

He alleged that the National Elections Commission is also involved in a conspiracy to delay the local government elections.

He called on the President to declare that the government will not take any decision that would violate the powers of the National Elections Commission that will enable them to call for elections.

He also alleged that the Chairman of the National Elections Commission is not an independent individual.