The election to appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, scheduled to take place today (15), was postponed for a second time without a set date by Western Province Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara.
The postponement was due to the lack of a required quorum in the council necessary to conduct the vote.
A previous attempt on June 17 had also failed for the same reason, resulting in rescheduling the vote to today.
Accordingly, the second vote to elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman began at 9:30 am at the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.
During the proceedings, a discussion arose over whether the election should be conducted as a secret ballot or an open vote. One party proposed an open vote, while another suggested a secret ballot.
As two proposals were submitted, the election was conducted by secret ballot. The vote to appoint a Chairman was held first. Out of the votes cast, 23 were in favour of an open ballot, while 24 supported a secret ballot.
At that point, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members stated that they would walk out of the council in protest of the decision to proceed with a secret ballot, citing the presence of council members as a justification for an open vote.
Following the walkout, the number of remaining members fell short of the quorum required. Consequently, the Commissioner postponed the council for 10 minutes.
After reconvening, the council still lacked the necessary quorum to proceed with the vote, leading the Commissioner to indefinitely postpone the election once again. (Newswire)