The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) yesterday requested the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Desapriya to postpone the elections to the local government bodies in the Mullaitivu district, informed sources said.
Earlier, the Commissioner announced he would conduct the elections to the Puthukuduiruppu and Maritime Pattu Pradeshiya Sabhas in the district in March.
The representatives of the political parties yesterday met with Mr. Desapriya to discuss matters related to the election.
TNA MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan and SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali said it would be advisable to postpone the election at least by six months. Nevertheless, Mr. Desapriya replied that he had completed the basic work for the conduction of the election in March. He said he could withhold the election only for a further period of one month in terms of the election law.
“If the election is to be delayed further, the political parties should take a decision. Or else, they should enact a new law in Parliament seeking the cancellation of nominations called for,” he said.
UPFA Secretary Minister Susil Premajayantha was currently in the north on an observation tour to seek the possibility of conducting the election as early as possible.
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