The distribution of ballot papers for postal voting for 113 local government (LG) bodies has been completed, the National Election Commission announced.
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake confirmed that postal voting will proceed as scheduled for LG bodies not affected by ongoing legal proceedings.
Postal voting for the 2025 Local Government Election is set to take place on April 22, 23, and 24 at all District Secretariats and election offices. Voters who are unable to cast their postal votes on those dates will be allowed to do so on April 28 and 29, the Commission added.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal yesterday (April 7) issued a stay order temporarily halting the election process for several local government authorities, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).
The order also affects elections for the Harispaththuwa, Panwila, Pathadumbara, Udapalatha, and Kuliyapitiya Pradeshiya Sabhas. The stay order was issued after the court granted leave to proceed with writ petitions filed by several political parties and independent groups challenging the rejection of their nomination papers.
The petitioners argue that the respective returning officers acted unlawfully by rejecting nominations on the basis that they were not submitted within the prescribed time frame.
The Court of Appeal directed that objections to the petitions be filed by May 5, with counter-objections to follow by May 7. The petitions are scheduled to be heard on May 16, and the stay order will remain in effect until that date.
Despite the legal obstacles, the 2025 Local Government Election is still scheduled to be held on May 6.
