Delayed PC polls further delayed

Despite terms of all nine PCs having expired and provincial council (PC) polls long overdue it is likely that elections would be further delayed. An essential legal amendment still pending and seems that the amendment would not take place soon.

 

Cabinet Spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said that since the amendment to the Provincial Councils Elections Act No. 2 of 1988 is yet to be passed, the elections would most likely be held in 2022.

 

“We hope to reach a final decision soon. The next party leaders’ meeting will be held on 19 April where this would be discussed,” added Gammanpila.

 

The amendment proposed by the Ministry of Public Services, PCs, and Local Government is to hold PC elections either under the old system as per the Provincial Councils Elections Act No. 2 of 1988, which is the proportional representation (PR) system, or under the mixed system, i.e. to elect 70% of the members under the PR system and 30% under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system.