The Draft Bill for the Amendment of the Local Authorities Elections Act to enable the cancellation of nominations submitted for the 2023 polls and call for fresh nominations will be presented to the Parliament tomorrow (09 Jan), Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne said.
According to the Mawbima newspaper, Minister Chandana Abeyratne has expressed hope in getting the approval of the Parliament for the Draft Bill soon.
He further said that the government intended to conduct the Local Council Elections before the April Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
Stating that there were no obstacles to conducting the election, Minister Chandana Abeyratne said the government was able to disburse the necessary funds upon request by the Election Commission.
He noted that it is expected that between Rs. 8 to Rs. 12 Billion will be required to conduct the Local Council Elections.
His comments come as the Draft Bill for the Amendment of the Local Authorities Elections Act to enable the cancellation of nominations submitted for the 2023 polls and call for fresh nominations was Gazetted this week.
The Draft Bill was reportedly published in the Government Gazette as per the order of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
As per the said bill, nomination papers submitted for the Local Government Elections, which were scheduled to be held on March 09, 2023, will become invalid, while it also provides for the refund of deposits made in respect of candidates nominated by a political party or independent group.
The bill is scheduled to be implemented after it is presented to Parliament and passed, with the Election Commission to announce the date for calling fresh nominations for the Local Government Elections 3 months before the date of commencement of the said Act. (Newswire)