The Election Commission will be empowered to announce the presidential election date after midnight yesterday (16), and the date will be announced before the end of July, said the Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake.
He emphasized this during a press conference at the Election Commission yesterday morning.
Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, Secretary H.M.T.D. Herath, members M.A.P.C. Perera, Anusuya Shanmuganathan and Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake were present. The Chairman said its member Senior Advocate Amir Faiz did not join yesterday’s press conference as he was abroad on duty.
Chairman Ratnayake stated that according to the Constitution and the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act. , anyone can consider the dates related to the presidential election. He also pointed out that according to the Constitution and the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act. , there is no obstacle to holding the presidential election.
Accordingly, he said that nominations for the presidential poll should be accepted between 16 and 21 days from the date of the announcement of the poll and that the presidential election should be held within 04 to 06 weeks from the date of receipt of nominations.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that the officials of the Ministry of Finance have been called before the Election Commission on the 17th, and discussions will be held with those officials about obtaining money for the presidential election and related matters.
He also said that he has been involved in election duties since 1986, but he has never seen an election in which so many people and other parties are interested.”
