Election Commission says Provincial Council Elections should be held

Election Commission Chairman Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa says his position is that the Provincial Council Elections should be held as Provincial Councils are a part of the Constitution. 

He stated this at a discussion held with the media chiefs at the Election Commission yesterday.

The Chairman of the Elections Commission pointed out that the non-holding of the Provincial Council Elections has only prevented the appointment of people's representatives to those institutions and that the functions assigned to the Provincial Councils are being carried out as usual.

“Some parties point out that the expenses incurred by the Provincial Councillors are a waste of money. However, according to the reports of the Finance Commission, the expenditure incurred on the staff and members of the Provincial Councils is only about 0.3% of the total expenditure of those Provincial Councils,” said the Chairman of the Election Commission.

He further pointed out that a large role pertaining to various fields is being played through the Provincial Councils.