Supreme Court Petition Filed Against November 14 Parliamentary Election Date

  A petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the gazette notification issued to hold the upcoming parli...

 

A petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the gazette notification issued to hold the upcoming parliamentary elections on November 14. The petition, filed by H. M. Priyantha Herath, convener of the 'Api Sri Lanka National Organisation,' argues that the decision to hold elections on this date contradicts the constitutional guidelines.

The petition lists the Attorney General, the President’s Secretary, the Chairman of the Election Commission, and other Election Commission members as respondents, naming them on behalf of the President.

Constitutional Conflict

The primary issue raised in the petition is a violation of the Parliamentary Polling Act, which dictates that the election date must be set within a specific time frame following the acceptance of nominations. According to the act, the polling date should be scheduled no earlier than five weeks and no later than seven weeks after nominations are submitted. However, the petitioner contends that November 14 falls outside this constitutionally mandated time window.

Calls for Correction

Herath's petition urges the Supreme Court to recognize the violation of the Constitution and issue an appropriate order to rectify the situation. The petitioner believes that the gazette notification and the election timeline are in breach of the law, and that immediate corrective measures are necessary to ensure the elections are held in line with constitutional requirements.

Legal Proceedings

As the matter now awaits the Supreme Court’s review, the decision on whether the scheduled election date will stand or be adjusted lies in the court’s hands. If the court rules in favor of the petitioner, it could lead to a change in the election schedule or other significant adjustments.

The case raises broader concerns about the adherence to electoral laws and constitutional provisions in Sri Lanka, sparking further debate on the importance of maintaining electoral integrity.

This petition has the potential to impact the upcoming parliamentary elections and sets a critical precedent for how future elections may be conducted in compliance with the Constitution.