Council election pushed back to 6 May

Elections Commission has pushed back the Local Council Election due to the rapid spread of the H1N1 influenza in the country.

The announcement was made tonight at a press conference held by the Elections Commission.

Vice President of the Elections Commission, Amjad Mustafa said that arrangements were being made but the national advisement committee advised to push back the election due to the H1N1 influenza spreading in the country.

This is the third time the election has been delayed. The local council election was initially set for 14 January before being pushed back due to a court order from the Civil Court. Then, it was set for 8 April but was delayed to 15 April upon a request made by the Ministry of Education.

At the press conference tonight, the Elections Commission said that HPA has advised that gathering of people could cause more spreading of the disease.

Vice President Mustafa said that an emergency meeting of the advisement committee of the Elections Commission at 8 p.m. tonight regarding the HPA request.

While the committee is made up with representatives from all the political parties in the country, Amjad said that all members voted to push back the election aside from two political parties.

The two political parties that were against pushing back the election were MDP and Jumhooree Party.

Member of the Elections Commission, Ahmed Akram said that pushing back the election would bring changes to the voter registries.

Akram said that the only ballot box abroad would be in Colombo, Sri Lanka but if less than 1000 people registers in the new registration period, no ballot box would be placed in Colombo.

While those who turn 18 for the new election day can vote with the election pushed back, Akram said that candidates cannot withdraw their candidacy.