- 21 March deadline for postal ballots
The Election Commission (EC) stated that it should receive the postal ballot papers by 21 March in order to hold the postal voting related to the Local Government (LG) elections on the scheduled dates (from 28 to 31 March), while the Department of Government Printing however, stated that they cannot be printed by the said date, even if the relevant financial allocations are received within the course of today (13), thereby implying another postponement of the postal voting.
When contacted by The Daily Morning, EC Chairman, Attorney Nimal G. Punchihewa said that the EC should receive the postal ballot papers by 21 March to hold the postal voting on the scheduled dates, which are from 28 to 31 March.
“We summoned Government Printer Gangani Liyanage and the Police, and had a discussion with them. We asked them to sort out the finance issue with the Treasury. When we asked her (Liyanage) when she will be able to print the ballot papers, she said that postal ballot papers could be printed within five days, and 25 to 26 days will be needed to print the other ballot papers.” he said.
In response to a question about the Treasury not having released the required funds to the Government Printing Department to commence the related work, he said that it is Liyanage's responsibility to discuss with the Treasury and obtain the relevant funds, and inform the EC if there is an issue.
“Even though she has told the media that she has not received funds, she has not made any official notification to us. It is not enough to send letters to the Treasury, she should inform the EC if there is any issue. In fact, the issue about financial allocations is something between the Treasury and the Department. The practice is for the Treasury to release funds to the Department, it is not something that is being done through the EC.” explained Punchihewa.
Speaking to the Daily Morning Gangani Liyanage stated that printing ballot papers is merely one task among thousands of others of the Department, and said that it is the EC's responsibility to discuss with the Treasury and release required funds to the Department. “During the meeting with the EC on 7 March, they asked me to send a letter to the Treasury asking for funds. I did it on 8 March, and there was no response from the Treasury. Even that is something that the EC should have done. The LG election was called by the EC. It is they who have all powers regarding elections. What I can do is to print the ballot papers when I receive funds. This is just one task among thousands of others of the Department.”
According to her the Department will need at least five to six days to print the postal ballot papers, and a request should be made to the Police for security to the Department three to four days in advance.
“We have received only Rs. 40 million as of now, but we have done work worth nearly Rs. 150 million. We need at least Rs. 200 million more to commence printing postal ballots and the rest of the funds should be provided to us during the printing process. However, if we assume that the Treasury releases funds tomorrow (13), we then need to request the Police for security. It will take about three to four days for the Police to make the necessary arrangements. Let's say we requested the Police for security tomorrow, so it will be 17 March by when the Police will be able to provide security to the Department. Then it takes about five to six days to print ballot papers. With all that, we will not be able to finalise the printing of postal ballot papers by 21 March.” Liyanage added.