The elections commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya stated that, the provincial council elections can be held within the calendar year, if the speaker of parliament signs the proposed amended Local Government elections Bill before September 15.
Providing his views at a special discussion held with Ada Derana reporters, the commissioner stated that a bill will only become a legally binding document only after the signature of the speaker is placed.
It was also stated that the elections commissioner will require a mandatory 75-100 days once the bill has been handed over to him to formulate means for an election. He however stated that should all proceedings be completed by September 15, the elections may be held before the GCE Ordinary Level examination this year.
Mahinda Deshapriya also mentioned that should proceedings get delayed; the elections will have to be postponed to January 2018.
