Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake announced yesterday that the Presidential election will be declared next week.
During a televised discussion on a private channel, he clarified that the commission could not declare the election on July 17, the earliest date permitted by law. This would have required holding the election on September 17, the first day it could be conducted, which is a poya day.
Ratnayake pointed out that elections cannot be held on a poya day due to cultural considerations and logistical issues, which also prevent the commission from holding the election on the following day, September 18.
Therefore, the EC Chairman stated that the commission will announce the Presidential election next week, including the nomination day. He noted that several leaders of opposition political parties had requested an early election declaration, citing alleged attempts by government leaders to postpone the election.
Source – dailymirror.lk
