The Attorney General (AG) informed the Supreme Court today (11) that the Cabinet of Ministers has instructed the legal draftsman to amend the Local Government Elections (Special Provisions) Bill. The proposed amendments aim to facilitate the use of the 2024 voters’ list for the Local Government (LG) Elections, ensuring the voting rights of young voters.
Deputy Solicitor General Nirmalan Vigneswaran conveyed this information during the hearing of a Fundamental Rights petition seeking an order to hold the LG Elections using the 2024 voters’ list.
The case was heard by a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, Justices Arjuna Obeysekara, and Priyantha Fernando.
The Deputy Solicitor General also stated that amendments are being drafted to allow for the invalidation of previously submitted nominations and to initiate a fresh call for nominations for the LG Elections.
President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, representing the petitioning party, requested the court to issue an order for advertisements in newspapers in all three languages, enabling the public to engage in this matter of significant national importance.
The Supreme Court granted the request and instructed the petitioners to serve notices to the respondents, including the Election Commission Chairman, to appear before the court.
The petition is scheduled to be heard again on January 29, 2025.
