 Gazette with candidates’ numbers delayed By Skandha Gunasekara A majority of political parties had expressed opposition to holding elections, during a crucial meeting with the Election Commission (EC), The Sunday Morning learnt. The elections commission during yesterday’s meeting did not make any decisions about the 20 June date set for impending general elections. EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said the Commission did not make any statement whether elections will be held on 20 June or not. However, the EC has decided to temporarily suspend the issuing of the Gazette announcing the numbers for candidates contesting the general election. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary, former Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara, told The Sunday Morning that only the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) were calling for elections. “90% of the political parties present at the meeting were opposed to having the election on the scheduled day. There is no (proper) environment to even campaign with the Covid-19 outbreak. Only the governing party wants to hold elections,” he said, adding that it was likely the EC would postpone polls further. He also added that the EC Chairman had pointed out that there may have been an issue with regard to nominations. A special meeting was held yesterday (2) between the EC and the secretaries of all political parties. EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya had told the meeting that three of the nomination dates had been declared public holidays. “The 16, 17, and 18 (March) had been declared holidays, when the (Parliamentary) Elections Act says that the nominations must be given on government working days. So, the Chairman of the Election Commission said that he would seek the opinion of the Attorney General on the matter,” Madduma Bandara said. Meanwhile, Government Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that it was a typical meeting between the Commission and the party secretaries. “I don’t think anything special happened at the meeting. Party secretaries expressed their views and the Commission took note. That’s about it,” he said. He said the Commission had not mentioned any possible change of date for the election. “Nothing about the election date was commented on by the Commission. However, there is time still. Let’s see how the coming week plays out,” Rambukwella said.