Date for fixing poll is Election Commission’s responsibility says President’s Secretary

Date for fixing poll is Election Commission’s  responsibility says President’s Secretary

P.B.Jayasundara, Secretary to the President in a reply to the Chairman of Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya  said that the date for fixing the poll is the responsibility of the Election Commission and therefore the question of reference to the Supreme Court in terms of Article 129 of the Constitution does not arise.

The Chairman of the Election Commission had sent letters to the Secretary to the President under the title ‘Parliamentary Election 2020 and Date of Summoning of the New Parliament’ dated 31.3.2020 and 01.04.2020. He had urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to consult the Supreme Court on issues over holding the General Election.

In his response, the Secretary to the President states that as per the advice by the President, it is not possible at this point of time to state that the election cannot be held on or before 28.05.2020. 

“The date for fixing the poll is the responsibility of the Election Commission and His Excellency has no wish to interfere with duties and obligations of the Election Commission,” he further stated in his reply.

Following is the Pres Release