COLOMBO : The country is preparing for local government elections after nearly five years.
Although the Election Commission initially scheduled the local government elections for March 9, 2023, it had to be postponed.
A second date was set for April 25, 2023, but the elections did not take place then either.
The previous government made over 30 attempts to delay the local government elections.
As a result, more than Rs. 131 million spent by the Election Commission on election-related activities went to waste.
The estimated cost for holding the local government elections in 2023 was Rs. 9,326 million.
Due to the failure to hold the elections, the administration of 336 local government institutions, except for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha in the Galle District, is currently under special commissioners instead of elected representatives.
The power of 28 Municipal Councils has been transferred to municipal commissioners, while 36 Urban Councils and 272 Pradeshiya Sabhas are under the control of their respective secretaries.
In April last year, nominations were called to elect 8,711 members for 340 local government institutions, with 80,672 candidates submitting nominations.
Among them were approximately 3,000 public servants.
The Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government reports that around 8,000 of these candidates have either migrated or passed away.
Additionally, over 2,000 candidates have switched parties.
Following recent legislative amendments in Parliament, these nominations and deposits were invalidated.
As a result, the Election Commission has been empowered to call for new nominations and set a date for the elections.news first.
March 4, 2025
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