- Calls for EC to take on Govt. as “P’ment falling into hands of Executive”
In the wake of the Election Commission (EC) deciding to postpone the postal voting related to the Local Government (LG) elections on the scheduled days due to the non-receipt of the required funds, political party representatives questioned as to why the EC is not proceeding to file charges of contempt of Court against the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies and President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Secretary to the Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Ministry and the Treasury Mahinda Siriwardana.
A meeting was held between the EC and the secretaries of political parties which are contesting the LG elections and related civil organisations including the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) to discuss the current situation with regard to the holding of the LG elections, yesterday (23).
The Daily Morning contacted EC Chairman, Attorney Nimal G. Punchihewa to query about the meeting with the political party representatives, and he said that the EC would issue a statement to the media in that regard. In the said statement, the EC said that the holding of the LG elections was discussed at length during the meeting.
It further read that several suggestions including the postponement of the elections by declaring a definite date on which it would be held, the declaration of dates for the elections only after procuring the necessary facilities, the non-postponement of the Elections for any reason, considering the recent interim order issued by the Supreme Court (SC) and other related legal proceedings, and the declaration of dates for Elections based on agreements which would be made upon discussions with the Parliament, the President and other relevant parties, were put forward by political party representatives.
“Taking into account all these suggestions and laws pertaining to holding elections, the EC will make a decision regarding the date of the LG elections in the future. Accordingly, we have decided not to hold the postal voting related to the LG elections on the scheduled dates, which were to be on 28, 29, 30, and 31 March, and 3 April, 2023,” the statement read.
Attorney Sunil Watagala, who attended the meeting representing the National People’s Power led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna claimed that the EC had been attempting to postpone the LG elections indefinitely, but that political party representatives had not allowed it.
“The interim order issued by the SC states that the EC should take steps to remove obstacles and hold the elections. Until that happens, the EC cannot postpone the elections. We informed the EC that we are ready to provide them with legal assistance if they go before the SC. Why can’t the EC file cases against Wickremesinghe and Siriwardana on the charges of contempt of Court? The EC remained silent when we asked about it. We informed them to hold the elections as scheduled and that we will provide them with all possible support.
“The EC explained that the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, and certain officials disrupt the holding of the Elections. What happens is that Wickremesinghe makes a decision, then the Cabinet approves it, and then circulars are issued based on that decision. One such circular issued by the Finance Ministry states that the Attorney General is not appearing for the EC, and that they (EC) should obtain permission from the Finance and Justice Ministries if they (EC) are represented by a private lawyer. This is all that happens to postpone the LG Elections,” he added.
Elected on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna ticket but currently sitting in the Opposition, Parliamentarian Dr. Nalaka Godahewa also attended the meeting with the EC and said that the EC should make a public statement explaining that the holding of the LG elections is disrupted by the President and the Government.
“We have been called for a meeting today (23) too. Maybe they are going to tell us the same thing that they have not received money. The President and his Government have no need to hold these elections. They are trying to suppress democracy. Therefore, instead of calling us for meetings and saying the same thing, the EC should make a public statement. They should explain to the people that the holding of the Elections is being disrupted by the President and the Government.” he told the media before the commencement of the meeting.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, PAFFREL’s Executive Director, Rohana Hettiarachchi called on everyone to stand up against the Executive’s attempt to take away the people’s right to vote. “In 2017, the Provincial Councils Elections were postponed indefinitely. The LG elections are going to be postponed in the same manner. The Parliament is falling into the hands of the Executive. A single person is reaching a place where they control the entire structure of the country. If such an attempt is allowed, the democracy of this country will be seriously challenged and serious problems will arise regarding the functioning of the independent Commissions and the implementation of their recommendations. All political parties should remember that if an undemocratic practice is allowed to take place at this point, any future ruler will use it. We have a serious challenge before us and everyone should rally to defeat this programme.”
Although the LG elections were scheduled to be held on 9 March, the Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Ministry and the general Treasury had not released the required funds to the EC. The EC then rescheduled the LG Elections to 25 April, and the postal voting to 28, 29, 30 and 31 March and 3 April, but the required funds are yet to be released. Against this backdrop, an indefinite situation has arisen once again with regard to the holding of the LG elections. The SC has also issued an interim order against the Treasury Secretary, preventing him from withholding the funds allocated for elections through the Budget 2023.
Source By themorning.lk
