A snap general election will be held immediately after the presidential elections, set to conclude in October this year, according to the Daily Mirror.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ruled out the possibility of declaring a snap general election before or during the presidential poll. He informed Cabinet ministers that the parliamentary election will follow the presidential elections.
Politically, it is sensible to declare a snap election after the presidential elections in October, regardless of the winner, instead of waiting until the scheduled time in the middle of next year.
Any winning candidate would likely prefer to have a new Parliament with a majority for their party or alliance. In Sri Lankan political culture, the party that wins the presidential elections typically wins the subsequent general elections as well.
The last general election was conducted in August 2020. The Election Commission is legally bound to conduct any election declared in accordance with the Constitution. Additionally, provisions exist for the general and presidential elections to be held simultaneously.
After July 17, the Election Commission will have the authority to initiate preparations for the presidential elections, targeting a polling date between September 17 and October 16.
In a notice signed by its chairman, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, the Election Commission announced it will call for nominations to hold the presidential election within the specified timeframe as per the Constitution.
The Commission is currently making logistical arrangements for the conduct of the elections.
Source – dailymirror.lk
