INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The 2025 Local Government Elections will be held as set up on May 6, according to the Chairman of the National Election Commission R.M.A.L
Rathnayake.Chairman R.M.A.L
Rathnayake noted that they will comply with court judgments as a number of petitions have been submitted in relation to the rejection of
nomination papers.Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo today, Chairman of the Election Commission Rathnayake confirmed that the
printing of polling cards and tally documents that are not affected by lawsuit have commenced.Earlier today, the Court of Appeal purchased
pertinent Returning Officers to accept nearly 37 turned down nomination papers in relation to the Local Government Elections.The order was
issued by a two-member Appeals Court bench making up Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Mohammed Thahir Laffar and Justice K.P
Fernando after thinking about writ petitions filed by a number of political parties and independent groups challenging the rejection of
their nomination papers submitted to object to the upcoming polls.Nearly 37 writ petitions were filed before the Court of Appeal by
celebrations consisting of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Sarvajana Balaya alliance, and several independent groups,
challenging the rejection of nomination documents for multiple local government bodies, consisting of the Colombo Municipal Council.The
Appeals Court formerly purchased the Returning Officers to halt the election process associated activities of the Colombo Municipal Council
and several other city government bodies up until today, pending a final decision associated to the petitions.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court
today turned down 53 writ petitions and 6 fundamental rights petitions filed by political celebrations and independent groups challenging
the rejection of their election documents sent for the 2025 city government elections, without taking them into consideration.While not
talking about the specific judgment, Chairman of the National Election Commission said they are preparing to release ballot cards to Post
The distribution of polling cards to citizens will start on 17 April and will conclude on 29 April.R.M.A.L
Rathnayake added that necessary guidelines have actually been provided to the Government Printer to carry out the printing of files for the
impending Local Government Elections.Meanwhile, a special conference will be held at the Election Secretariat next week.Chairman R.M.A.L
Rathnayak said all Secretaries of Ministries, heads of government organizations and statutory boards have actually been summoned for the
meeting.The enforcement of the gazette released related to the prevention of the abuse of state resources throughout the election duration,
will be deliberated at the conference.
