Voting will be held next Wednesday:
Political
Camelia Nathaniel
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Parliament convened for a special session on Saturday (16) and while it was announced that nominations would be accepted on July19, the candidate MPs must be present in the Chamber on that day and the motion must be seconded by another Member. However, he said that it is not open for debate.
Parliament Secretary General of Dhammika Dassanayake formally announced that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned from the post of President of Sri Lanka, effective July 14 in Parliament on Saturday (16).
The letter was presented by the Secretary General of Parliament to the Speaker.
He also announced that there is a vacancy in the office of the President according to Section 5 of the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981.
Under the provisions of the Constitution, Dassanayake explained that Parliament should convene within three days to fill the post left vacant, following the resignation of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Every Member of Parliament intending to nominate another parliamentarian to be elected to the vacant office of President, should obtain written consent that, if the proposed Member is so elected, he is willing to serve in the office of President. Dassanayake added that a copy of the letter of consent should be handed over to him on Tuesday July 19, 2022.
In accordance with Section 5 of the aforementioned Act, he shall fix a date and time for accepting nominations on a date not earlier than forty-eight hours and not later than seven days from the date of Saturday’s meeting, and accordingly, that date and time is 19th July 2022. The Secretary General also informed the House that the Parliament should meet on Tuesday (19) at 10.00 am and engage in the work of accepting the nominations.
Furthermore, for the convenience of the members of Parliament, Dasanayake also presented to the House the matters regarding the acceptance of nominations in accordance with the provisions mentioned in Section 6 of the relevant Act. In the vote, if any candidate receives more than half of the valid votes, the returning officer shall forthwith declare such candidate elected to the office of President. However, if the names of more than one MP are proposed and confirmed on Tuesday 19th July 2022, the polling shall be held on a date not later than 48 hours after the time of receipt of nominations in accordance with the provisions of the Election of the President (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981. Accordingly, as planned, a parliamentary meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 and the voting for the Presidency will be conducted. However, Dassanayake informed the House that when proposing the name of a certain member for the vacant post of President, it is essential to pay heed to the disqualifications specified in Article 92 of the Constitution for being elected as a President.
After parliament convened for a special session at 10.00am on Saturday, it was adjourned fifteen minutes later. Parliament will reconvene at 10am on July 19.
Monday, July 18, 2022 – 01:18
