He had also agreed to re-evaluate the situation of the country as at May 4 and either confirm the date of the Election set for June 20 or re-schedule it to a new date. The Chairman had pointed out that the gazetted date of the General Election could be once again changed if the COVID-19 pandemic worsened in the coming days.
However, the Commission had agreed to communicate it before May 4 if the date is to be revised again. The period from May 4 till silent period prior to the Election has been allocated for campaigning purposes.
The above details were revealed to the media by National People’s Power Leader Anura Dissanayake after he attended the Election Commission’s meeting with political party representatives at the Election Secretariat premises.
During the meeting Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa had requested the Health Services Director General to issue a written certificate to the country that it is safe to proceed with the Election and that it would not be a threat to public health.
He had also requested about 5-7 weeks for campaigning purposes.
The meeting between the Election Commission and the Secretaries or representatives of Political Parties, which have submitted nominations to contest the upcoming Election, was held in two parts today morning following the health guidelines.
