The presidential election which is expected to be declared tonight will probably be held on January 23 next year, with nominations being called two weeks from now.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had asked Ministers and party organisers to put up his posters all over the country the very next day after the announcement of the major election.The posters were sent to them on Saturday.
A committee has been set up to conduct the President’s election campaign with the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) leader Wimal Weerawansa billed to be one of the major speakers at rallies which will be attended by the President.
The list for the sixth presidential election to be conducted under the present Constitution consists of 14,088,500 eligible voters while in 2005 the list contained 13,327,160 voters.
With election fever on the rise, some UNP parliamentarians are reportedly attempting to promote party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe
as its candidate instead of supporting former Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka but a large number of MPs feel they should support the candidacy of General Fonseka who would be a stronger candidate against the President.
When contacted by Daily Mirror, SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera said the newly formed United National Front (UNF) would announce its strategy in consultation with all stakeholders within 48 hours of the President declaring the presidential election,
Meanwhile UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake when asked to comment on the internal problems over the common candidate said there were various views expressed by members but he could comment on these matters only after the election was announced.
UNP parliamentarian Vajira Abeywardane also declined to comment on speculation that he was promoting leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as a possible candidate.
“Rumours are being spread in the media without my knowledge. We will make our views known after the election is declared,” Mr. Abeywardane said.
President Rajapaksa completed the fourth year in office on November 19, and therefore he is now empowered to proclaim a presidential election seeking power for the second term.
For this purpose, he is required to issue a special gazette notification.
The Constitution says…
According to Article 31 (3a) of the Constitution, the President may, at any time after the expiration of four years from the commencement of his first term of office, by proclamation, declare his intention of appealing to the people for a mandate to hold office, by election, for a further term.
(ii) Upon the making of a proclamation under sub-paragraph (i) the Commissioner of Elections shall be required to take a poll for the election of the President.
October 21: JVP says it is ready to accept Gen. Sarath Fonseka as the common candidate.
October 28: Gen. Fonseka makes a controversial statement in Washington saying he is ready to remove his uniform to serve the nation.
November 8: UNF announces that it is ready to support Gen. Fonseka as common candidate.
November 12: Gen. Fonseka resigns from office.
November 15: President Mahinda Rajapaksa addresses SLFP Convention and asks party activists what election they want first.
November 17: President asks party organizers to ready for a major election.
dm
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had asked Ministers and party organisers to put up his posters all over the country the very next day after the announcement of the major election.The posters were sent to them on Saturday.
A committee has been set up to conduct the President’s election campaign with the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) leader Wimal Weerawansa billed to be one of the major speakers at rallies which will be attended by the President.
The list for the sixth presidential election to be conducted under the present Constitution consists of 14,088,500 eligible voters while in 2005 the list contained 13,327,160 voters.
With election fever on the rise, some UNP parliamentarians are reportedly attempting to promote party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe
as its candidate instead of supporting former Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka but a large number of MPs feel they should support the candidacy of General Fonseka who would be a stronger candidate against the President.
When contacted by Daily Mirror, SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera said the newly formed United National Front (UNF) would announce its strategy in consultation with all stakeholders within 48 hours of the President declaring the presidential election,
Meanwhile UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake when asked to comment on the internal problems over the common candidate said there were various views expressed by members but he could comment on these matters only after the election was announced.
UNP parliamentarian Vajira Abeywardane also declined to comment on speculation that he was promoting leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as a possible candidate.
“Rumours are being spread in the media without my knowledge. We will make our views known after the election is declared,” Mr. Abeywardane said.
President Rajapaksa completed the fourth year in office on November 19, and therefore he is now empowered to proclaim a presidential election seeking power for the second term.
For this purpose, he is required to issue a special gazette notification.
The Constitution says…
According to Article 31 (3a) of the Constitution, the President may, at any time after the expiration of four years from the commencement of his first term of office, by proclamation, declare his intention of appealing to the people for a mandate to hold office, by election, for a further term.
(ii) Upon the making of a proclamation under sub-paragraph (i) the Commissioner of Elections shall be required to take a poll for the election of the President.
October 21: JVP says it is ready to accept Gen. Sarath Fonseka as the common candidate.
October 28: Gen. Fonseka makes a controversial statement in Washington saying he is ready to remove his uniform to serve the nation.
November 8: UNF announces that it is ready to support Gen. Fonseka as common candidate.
November 12: Gen. Fonseka resigns from office.
November 15: President Mahinda Rajapaksa addresses SLFP Convention and asks party activists what election they want first.
November 17: President asks party organizers to ready for a major election.
dm
