Elections Commissioner rejects appeal to postpone election in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 16 January 2008, 10:26 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Commissioner of Elections has rejected the appeal made by the political parties to postpone the elections to nine local authorities in Batticaloa district including the Batticaloa Municipal Council as the current ground situation is not conducive for holding such polls in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Commissioner made the announcement at a conference held Monday with representatives of political parties at the Colombo office of the election office.

The minister concerned has issued a gazette notification to hold such election. Hence he has no legal authority to postpone the election. However he would hold consultation with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to strengthen the security in the Batticaloa district during election period and to provide adequate security to candidates contesting the elections. General Secretaries of political parties and high officials of Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Police and civil officials attended the conference which lasted for about two hours.