President of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya says that there is a possibility of postponing the upcoming general election if the spread of COVID-19 reaches epidemic levels within the country.
He was responding to queries on whether the commission is considering to postponing the election.
However, since the disease is not declared as an epidemic in the country, postponement of elections is not being considered at the present, he added.
According to the subsection 3 of section 24 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, the Election Commission has the power to postpone the election day in case of an emergency after the President has set the date for the general election.
However, the Commission only has the ability to postpone the election day and not deadline for accepting nominations, the Chairman clarified.
(Excerpts : Anidda)