Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday briefed representatives of the political parties about electioneering under the new system in view of the upcoming local government elections.
The meeting took place last evening in his office. He briefed them about the procedure set out regarding vote canvassing, the handing over of nomination papers, vote counting at polling stations and the presence of political party representatives.
Deshapriya said the elections could be conducted well within the month of January, 2018 if the gazette notification, announcing the number of members to be elected to each ward, were released before December 7.
In response, he conveyed his displeasure about such announcement saying it was a matter for his office to decide. Incensed by such announcement, he said the Commission would not dare to conduct polling on a day other than January 27.
