LG Elections Can be Held in Early October

The local government elections can be held in early October, Chairman of the Elections Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya told a seminar that was jointly organized by his office and the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE).

“The Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils has informed that the Bill to amend the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 2012 will be gazetted on 1 July. We can’t do anything until the gazette is out on this date as Parliament will take another two weeks to pass the Bill,” he said.

After the Speaker signs the Bill, the Commission needs at least 75 days to make the necessary preparations for the elections. So it will be at least mid September  early October when we can hold the election.

Meanwhile Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faiszer Mustapha said that Parliament is likely to approve the Bill as soon as all political parties begin preparations for local government elections.