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Local Authorities Elections (Amendment)


Published: 1987-05-15

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Local Authorities Elections (Amendment)
Local Authorities Elections (Amendment)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS ORDINANCE.

BE it enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as follows:

[15th May , 1987 ]
Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 24 of 1987.

Amendment of section 4f Chapter 262.

2. Section 4 of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as "the principal enactment") is hereby amended by the repeal of subsection (1) of that section and the substitution of the following subsection therefor :

"(1) There may be appointed, by name or by office, for each district in Sri Lanka, a fit and proper person to be, or to act, as returning officer and one or more persons to be, or to act, as assistant returning officers. ".

Amendment of section 5 of the principal enactment.

3. Section 5 of the principal enactment is hereby amended by the repeal of paragraph (a) .of subsection (2) of that section.

Amendment of section 9 of the principal enactment.

4. Section 9 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows :-

(1) by the repeal of paragraph (dd) of subsection (1) of that section and the substitution of the following. paragraph therefor: -

" (dd) is a member of any other local authority or of a Development Council established under the Development Councils Act, No. 35 of 1980 ; " ; and

(2) by the repeal of subsection (3) of that section and the substitution of the following subsection therefor :

" (3) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection (1) and subsection (2), no person who, at any time after the appointed date, is removed from the office of Mayor or member of a Municipal Council, Chairman or member of any Development Council or any Urban Council or any Pradeshiya Sabha, by Order published under section 277 of the Municipal Councils Ordinance or section 63 of the Development Councils Act. or section 184 of the Urban Councils Ordinance or section 185 of the Pradeshiya Sabhas Ad, as the case may be, shall be qualified for a period of five years from the date of such removal from office to be elected under this Ordinance, or to sit or vote as a member of any local authority.".

Replacement of section 25 of the principal enactment.

5. Section 25 of the principal enactment is hereby repealed and the following section substituted therefor :-

" Date of holding elections.

25. Every general election of the members of a local authority shall be held within a period of six months preceding the date on which the term of office of the members who are to be elected is due to commence. ".

Amendment of section 26 of the principal enactment.

6. Section 26 of the principal enactment is hereby amended by the substitution for the words" commence on the day after the date of publication ", of the words" commence on the fourteenth day after the date of publication ".

Replacement of section 27 of the principal enactment.

7. Section 27 of the principal enactment is hereby repealed and the following section substituted therefor .

"Appointment of returning officers.

27. (1) For the purpose of every general election of the members of a local authority, for an electoral area, the Commissioner shall nominate a public officer, as returning officer and such number of public officers as are necessary, as assistant returning officers, for that electoral area, to exercise, perform or discharge, in respect of that electoral area, the powers, duties and functions, conferred or imposed on, or assigned to, a returning officer or an assistant returning officer; as the case may be, in respect of an election.

(2) Where any returning officer appointed under subsection (1), is by reason of sickness or other cause, unable to exercise, discharge, and perform, the powers, functions and duties vested in, assigned to, or imposed on, him by, or under, this Ordinance such returning officer may delegate such powers, duties and functions to another public officer. Every such delegation shall, as soon as possible, be reported to the Commissioner, who may confirm or disallow the delegation, without prejudice to the validity of anything already done by the public officer to wham such powers, duties and functions have been delegated.

(3) Any returning officer appointed under section 4 may exercise, perform or discharge in any electoral area in his district,. the powers, functions and duties vested in, assigned to, or imposed an, a returning officer by this section.".

Amendment of section 28 of the principal enactment.

8. Section 28 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows :

(1) in subsection (2) of that section, by the substitution, far all the words from " setting out the names " to "one-third of such number 'of members" of the following :

"setting out the names, of such number 'of candidates as is equivalent to the number of members to be elected for that local authority increased by three." ;

(2) by the repeal of subsection (3) of that section ;

(3) by the repeal of subsection (5) of that section and the substitution, of the following subsection there for:-

"(5) Each nomination paper shall be signed by the secretary of a recognized political party and in the case of an independent group, by the candidate whose name appears in the nomination paper 'of that group and is designated therein as the group leader 'of that group' (such candidate is hereinafter referred to as " the group leader") and shall be attested by a Justice 'of the Peace or by a Notary Public.

" Such nomination paper shall be delivered to the returning 'Officer within the nomination period by the secretary or the authorized agent, in the case of a recognized political party, or the group leader in the case of an independent group." ; and

(4) by the repeal of subsection (7) of that section.

Amendment of section 29 of the principal enactment.

9. Section 29 of the principal enactment is hereby amended in subsection (1) of that section by the substitution, far the words" that independent group, a sum calculated", of the wards" that independent group (and in any case, not later than 12 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the end of the nomination period) a sum calculated ".

Amendment of section 36 of the principal enactment.

10. Section 36 of the principal enactment is hereby amended by the repeal of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of that section, and the substitution of the following paragraph therefor:

" (b) after the rejection of a nomination paper or papers, the candidates of only one recognized political party or one independent group stand nominated for election, the returning 'officer shall call upon the secretary of such recognized political party or the group leader of such independent group to decide, within such period as may be specified by the returning officer, which of the ' candidates whose names appear in such nomination paper shall be declared elected as Mayor, Deputy Mayor and other members of that local authority. If such secretary or group leader communicates his decision to the returning officer within the period specified by the returning officer, the returning officer shall declare elected as Mayor, Deputy Mayor and other members of that local authority, he respective candidates specified, in such decision. If on the other hand, such secretary or group leader fails to communicate his decision to the returning officer within the period specified by the returning officer, then-

(i) the candidates whose names appear as first and second in such nomination paper shall be declared elected by the returning officer as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively; and

(ii) such other candidates, in the order in which their names appear in such nomination paper, equivalent to the number of members to. be elected to that local authority, shall be declared elected as members.".

Amendment of section 38 of the principal enactment.

11. Section 38 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows:-

(1) by the repeal of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of that section, and the substitution, of the following paragraph therefor:

(b) the names of the candidates (as indicated by the candidates) placed in alphabetical order in Sinhala, of each recognized political party or independent group, the serial number assigned to each such candidate, the approved symbol allotted to such party or group, and in the case of an independent group the words" independent group" and the distinguishing number if any ; and

(2) by the substitution, in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of that section, for the words" not less than fourteen days nor more than twenty-eight day from ", of the words" not less than five weeks nor more than seven weeks from".

Amendment of section 39 of the principal enactment.

12. Section 39 of the principal enactment is hereby amended by the omission of the words" in the order in which their names appear".

Insertion of new section 39B in the principal enactment.

13. The following section is hereby inserted immediately after section 39B, and shall have effect as section B of the principal enactment:-

Voting by post.

39B. (1) A person who is entitled under this section to be treated as a postal' voter, for the purpose of an election to any local authority may vote by post, and shall not vote in person, at such election. Any person who votes in person at any election in contravention of the preceding provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on, conviction after summary trial before, a Magistrate, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred rupees or to imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) An application to be treated as a, postal voter at an election to a local authority may be made-

(a) by a member of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, or an officer Or servant in the Department of Police, the Sri Lanka Government Railway, the Department of Posts and the Department of Telecommunications or the Sri Lanka Central Transport Board or any Regional Transport Board, on the ground that he is unable or likely to be unable to vote in person at the polling; station allotted to him by reason of the particular circumstances of his employment as such member officer or servant, and

(b) by any other officer or servant in the public service or of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, or the Local Government Service on the ground' of the particular circumstances of his employment on the date of the poll for a purpose connected with the election or his being likely to be employ. ed for that purpose, and

(c) by a candidate at an election on the ground that he is unable to or likely to be unable to vote in person at the polling station allotted to him by reason of his candidature in some other electoral area.

(3) An application to be treated as a postal voter shall be made to the returning officer so as to reach him within to days after the date of publication of the notice of nomination under section 26. Such application shall be substantially in the form prescribed for the purpose by the regulations contained in the Ninth Schedule.

(4) No application to be treated as a postal voter shall be allowed by a returning officer unless he is satisfied that the application is in accordance. with the preceding provisions of this section.

(5) The returning officer may, for the purpose of' the disposal of applications to be treated as postal voters, by notice require any person to give such officer any such information as is necessary. for that purpose.

(6) The decision of a returning officer on an application to be treated as a postal voter shall be communicated in writing to the applicant.

(7) The decision of the returning officer to allow or disallow an application to be treated. as a postal voter shall be final.

(8) Where an application to be treated as a postal voter is allowed by a returning officer, the applicant shall be a person entitled to be treated as a postal voter for the purpose of m election.

(9) The returning officer shall, as soon as practicable, send by post to each person who is entitled to be treated as a postal voter, to the address furnished by such person,

(a) a ballot paper;

(b) a form of declaration of identity:

(c) an envelope which shall be smaller than the envelope referred to in paragraph

(d) of this subsection, and which shall be marked "ballot paper envelope" and also with the number printed on the postal ballot paper issued to such person, and in which the postal' ballot paper shall be enclosed when it is returned duly marked; and

(d) an envelope for the return of the aforementioned documents.

(10) The form of the ballot paper and the form of the declaration of identity which are to be used by a person entitled to be treated as postal voters, and the procedure to be followed at the proceedings on their is issue, shall be according to the regulations contained in the Ninth Schedule.

(11) A ballot paper issued to a person entitled to be treated as a postal voter is in this ordinance referred to as "a postal ballot paper ".

(12) The returning officer of any electoral area where there is an election shall, as soon as practicable, prepare a list (in this Ordinance referred to as the" postal voters list") specifying the name, address and number on the register of electors of every person entitled to be treated as a postal voter. Such list shall be prepared in such manner as may be prescribed in that behalf by the regulations contained in the Ninth Schedule;'.

Replacement of section 41 of the principal enactment.

14. Section 41 of the principal enactment is hereby repealed and the following section substituted therefor :

" Hours of poll."

41. The poll of every election for an electoral area shall be open at 7 a.m. on the date appointed for' the purpose by notice under section 38 and shall close at 4 p.m. on that day.".

Amendment of section 45 of the principal enactment.

15. Section 45 of the principal enactment is hereby amended in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of that section, by the repeal of all the words from" candidates in order of priority" 10 the end of that section, and the substitution of the following therefor :-

" candidates (as indicated by the candidates), in alphabetical order in Sinhala of each recognized political party or independent group for election as members of the local authority, the serial number assigned to each such candidate and the approved symbol allotted to each such party or group.".

Amendment of section 47 of the principal enactment.

16. Section 47 of the principal enactment is hereby amended in paragraph (a) of that section, by the substitution, for the words" distinguishing number of such group;", of the words" distinguishing number of such group, and immediately below this, such number of numbers, placed in serial order, as is equal to the number of members to be elected to the local authority increased by three ".

Amendment of section 59 of the principal enactment.

17. Section 59 of the principal enactment is hereby amended in subsection (1) of that section by the omission of the words" of the polling station at which the poll was held".

Insertion of new 59A in the principal enactment.

18. The following new sec ion is inserted immediately after section 59 and shall have effect as section 59A of the principal enactment :

" Counting officers.

59A. (1) Subject to the General. or special directions of the Commissioner, each returning officer of an electoral area shall appoint, and may revoke the appointment of a counting officer to be in charge of the counting of votes at each counting centre, and such number of assistants and clerks and other officers as may be necessary to assist such counting officer in the performance of his duties.

(2) The returning officer may, if he thinks fit, perform the duties of a counting officer and the provisions of this Ordinance relating to a counting officer shall apply to such returning officer.". .

Amendment of section 61 of the principal enactment.

19. Section. 61 of the principal enactment is hereby amended in subsection (1) of that section by the substitution, for the words" of the time and places at which the count of votes will be commenced, to the", of the words" of the time and counting centres at which the count of votes will be commenced, and the polling station or stations assigned to each such centre, to the".

Insertion of new section 61A in the principal enactment.

20. The following new section is inserted immediately after section 61, and shall have effect as section 61A of the principal enactment:-

" Counting of postal ballots.

61A. The postal ballot papers in respect of any electoral area shall be counted in accordance with the regulations set out in the Ninth Schedule at a separate counting centre or such number of counting centres as may be determined by the returning officer. ".

Amendment of section 63 of the principal enactment.

21. Section 63 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows:

(1) by the repeal of paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of that section, and the substitution, of the following paragraph therefor:

" (d) which is unmarked or void for uncertainty, as to the recognized political party or independent group for which the vote is given,";

(2) by the repeal of subsection (6) of that section, and the substitution of the following subsection therefor :

"(6) The counting officer shall prepare a written statement, in words as well as in figures, of the number of votes given for each recognized political party and independent group, and a separate statement, in words as well as figures, of the number of preferences indicated for every candidate nominated by each such party or group, and each such statement shall be certified by the counting officer and witnessed by one of his assistants and clerks and the agents of any party or group as are present and desire to sign."; and

(3) by the insertion immediately after subsection (6) of the following subsections:

" (6A) The preferences indicated by a voter in his ballot paper for the candidates nominated by a recognized political party or independent group shall be disregarded if such voter has indicated preferences for more than three candidates nominated by such party or group.

(6B) Where a voter indicates in his ballot paper more than one preference for a candidate nominated by a recognized political party or independent group, all the preferences so indicated shall be regarded as one preference.

(6c) Any preference indicated by a voter in his ballot paper which is void for uncertainty as to the candidate for whom it is indicated shall be rejected.".

Amendment of section 64 of the principal enactment.

22. Section 64 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows: -

(i) in subsection (1) thereof by the omission of the words" at any polling station"; and

(ii) in subsection (2) thereof by the substitution, for the words.

"independent group and the record" of the words" independent, group, the number of preferences secured by each candidate nominated by each such party or groups and the record."

Amendment of section 65 of the principal enactment.

23. Section. 65 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows :-

(1) by the repeal of paragraphs (b) and (c) of sub section (1) of that section, and the substitution of the following paragraphs therefor:

"(b) The returning officer shall from the statements of the number of votes and preferences given determine the number of votes given for each recognized political party or independent group an the number of preferences indicated for each candidate nominated by each such party or group;

(c) The returning officer shall alter the declarations referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (2), call upon the secretary of the recognized political party or the group leader of the independent group to which highest number of votes has been given, to decide, within a period to be specified 'by the returning officer, which of the members' declared elected under paragraphs (d) and (e) of sub-section (2) from that party or group shall be declared elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively. If such secretary or group leader communicates his decision to the returning officer within the period specified by the returning officer, the returning officer shall declare elected am Mayor-and Deputy Mayor, the respective member specified in such decision. If on the other hand, such secretary or group leader fails to communicate his decision - to the returning officer ,within the period specified by the returning officer, the returning officer' shall declare elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the members declared elected from such party or group, who have secured; respectively, the highest and the next highest number of preferences ; " ;

(2) by the substitution, in paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of that section, for the words" number of members, other than the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor to be -elected at that election for that local authority. ", of the words "number of members to he elected at that election' for that local authority reduced by two.".

(3) by the repeal-of paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (2) of that section and the substitution of the following paragraphs therefor:-

(d) The number of votes polled by each recognized political party and independent group other than those parties and group disqualified under paragraph (a) beginning with the party or group which received the highest number of votes, shall he divided by the resulting number and the returning officer shall declare elected from each such party or group, in accordance with the number of preferences secured by each of the candidates nominated by such party or group (the candidate securing the highest number, of preferences being declared elected' first, the candidate securing elected next highest, number of preferences being declared next and so on), such number of members as is equivalent to the whole number resulting from the division by the number of the votes polled by such party or group. The remainder of the votes, if any, after such division, shall be dealt with, if necessary, under paragraph (e). The party or group which received the highest number of votes shall, in addition to the number of candidates it is entitled to have ,declared elected as members after such division, be entitled to have two additional candidates declared ,elected as members;

(e) Where after the declaration of the ,election of members as provided in paragraph (d) there are one Or more ,members still to be declared elected, such member or number' of members shall be declared elected on the remainder of the votes referred to in paragraph (d) to the credit of such party or group after the declaration made under that paragraph and the votes polled by any party or group not having any of its candidates elected under paragraph (d), the candidate nominated by the party or group having the highest of such votes, who has ,secured the highest or next highest number of preferences being declared a member and so on until all the members to be elected are declared elected;";

(4) by the addition. at the end of subsection (2) of that section of the following paragraph :-

"(g) Where a -recognized political Party or independent group is entitled, under the preceding provisions of this section, to have one of the candidates nominated by it declared elected as a member but none of the candidates nominated by it or none of the candidates remaining on the nomination paper submitted by it, have secured any preferences the returning officer shall call upon the secretary of such political party or the group leader of such group to decide within a Period to be specified by the returning officer, which of the candidates nominated by such party or group or which of the candidates remaining on the nomination paper submitted by it shall be declared elected as member. If such secretary or group leader communicates his decision to the returning officer within the period specified by the returning officer, the returning officer shall declare elected as member, the candidate specified in such decision. If on the other hand, such secretary or group leader fails to communicate his decision to the returning officer within the period specified by the returning officer, the returning officer shall declare elected as member, the candidate whose name appear next in the nomination paper submitted by such party or group." and

(5) by the addition at the end of that section, of the following :

"(4) For the purposes of this section and section 65A, where two or more candidates nominated for election to a local authority, by a recognized political party or independent group or two or more members elected to a local authority from recognized political party or independent group, have secured an equal number of preferences at such election and an addition of a preference shall entitle one such candidate to be elected as a member of such local authority or entitle one such member to be declared elected as the Mayor or Deputy Mayor, as the case may be, of such local authority, the determination of the candidate or member to whom such additional preference shall be deemed to have been given shall be made by lot drawn in the presence of the returning officer in such manner as he shall determine. ".

Amendment of section 65A of the principal enactment.

24. Section 65A of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows:-

(1) by the repeal of subsections (1), (2) ,(3), (4) and (5) of that section, and the substitution of the following subsection therefor: -

"(1) If the office of Mayor or Deputy Mayor falls vacant due to death, resignation or for any other cause, the returning officer of the district shall call upon the secretary of the recognized political party . or the group leader of the independent group to which the Mayor or Deputy Mayor vacating office belonged to decide within a period to be specified by the returning officer, which of the members of that local authority, who belong to such party or group shall be declared elected as Mayor or Deputy Mayor, as the case may be. If such secretary or group leader communicates his decision to. the returning officer within the period specified by the returning officer, the returning officer shall declare elected as Mayor or Deputy Mayor, as the, case may be, the member specified in such decision. If on the other hand, such secretary or group leader fails to. communicate his decision to the returning officer' within the specified period, the returning officer shall

(a) where the vacancy is in the office of' Mayor, declare elected as Mayor, the member of the local authority belonging to such party or group who has secured the highest number or preferences; or

(b) where the vacancy is in the office of Deputy Mayor, the member of the local authority belonging to such party or group (apart from the Mayor) who has secured the highest number of preferences

at the election of members for that local authority.

(2) If the office of a member falls vacant due to death, resignation or for any other cause, the returning officer of the district shall call upon the secretary of the recognized political party or the group leader of the independent group to which the member vacating office belonged, to nominate within a period to be specified by the returning officer, a person eligible under this- Ordinance for election as a member of that local authority, to fill such vacancy. If such secretary or group leader nominates within the specified period an eligible person to fill such vacancy and such nomination is accompanied by an oath or affirmation, as the case may be, in the form set out in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, taken and subscribed or made and subscribed, as the case may be, by the person nominated to fill such vacancy, the returning officer shall declare. such person elected as a member of that local authority. If on the other hand, such secretary or group. leader fails to make a nomination within the prescribed period, the returning officer shall declare elected as member from nomination' paper submitted by that party or group the candidate who has secured the highest number of preferences at the election of members to that local authority next to the last of the members declared elected to that local authority from that party or group.

Where all the candidates whose names were in such nomination paper have been elected or where none of the candidates whose names remain on such nomination paper, have secured any preferences, the returning officer shall forthwith inform the Minister through the Commissioner. The Minister may at any stage when he considers it expedient to do so, by Order published in the Gazette, direct the. Commissioner to hold an election to fill such vacancy. The person elected to fill such vacancy shall hold office only until the expiry of the term of office of the members elected at the last preceding general election. ".

(2) by the renumbering of subsections (6), (7), (8) and (9) of that section as subsections (3), (4)., (5) and (6), respectively of that section; and

(3) by the substitution in the renumbered subsection (3) of that section, for the expression" subsection (5) ", of the expression "subsection (2) "

(4) by the repeal of the renumbered subsection (4) of that section, and the substitution of the following subsection therefor :

" (4) Where the office of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in any local authority are vacant when an election is held under subsection (2), the returning officer shall call upon the secretary of the recognized political party or the group leader of the independent group which has a majority of the members in such local authority after such election to decide who among such members shall be declared elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and the provisions of subsection (2) shall. mutatis mutandis, apply thereafter to the filling of such vacancies. " ;

(5) by the substitution, in the renumbered subsection (5) of that section-

(a) for the expression" subsection (5) ", of the expression "subsection (2)" ; and

(b) for the expression" subsection (7) ", of the expression "subsection (4)"; and

(6) by the substitution in subsection (6) of that section-

(a) for the expression" subsections (7) and (8) ", of the expression" subsections (4) and (5) ", and'

(b) for the expression "subsection (5)", of the expression" subsection (2)".

Amendment of section 75 of the principal enactment.

25. Section 75 of the principal enactment is hereby amended by the substitution for the words "for whom he has voted", of the words "the recognized political party or independent group for which he has voted or the candidate for whom he has indicated a preference ".

Insertion of section 75A in principal enactment.

26. The following section is inserted immediately after section 75, and shall have effect as section 75A of the principal enactment:

Group leader.

75A. Where any person designated as the group leader of an independent group dies-

(a) during the pendency of an election to a local authority, the candidate whose name appears first or second, as the case may be, in the nomination paper submitted by that independent group, shall be deemed to be the group leader of that independent group; .

(b) after an election to a local authority, the member elected to. that local authority from that independent group. who has secured the highest number of preferences at such election. shall be deemed to be the group leader of that group.".

Amendment of section 78 of the principal enactment

27. Section 78 of the principal enactment is hereby amended in subsection (1) of that section as follows :

(1) by the insertion immediately after paragraph (e) of that subsection of the following paragraph:

"(ee) wilfully displays a marked ballot paper inside a polling station; or "; and

(2) by the insertion, immediately after paragraph (j) of that subsection, of the following paragraphs:

" (k) wilfully makes a false statement in any application to be treated as a postal voter under this Ordinance, or in any declaration of identity sent to him under the regulations. set out. in the Ninth Schedule; or

(l) without due authority, destroys, takes, opens or otherwise tampers or interferes with, any application to be treated as a postal voter, or any declaration of identity, or any covering envelope or ballot paper. envelope within the meaning of the regulations set out in the Ninth Schedule.".

Amendment of section 89 of the principal enactment.

28. Section 89 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows:

(1) by the substitution. for the definition of "authorized agent ", of the following definition :

"authorized agent" in relation to a recognized political party means a person expressly authorized in writing by the secretary of that recognized political party, to be the authorized agent of that recognized political party and whose authorization has been communicated by such secretary to the returning officer for the. electoral area, in respect of which the election is being., held, at least seventy two hours before the commencement of the nomination period;";

(2) by the substitution, for the definition of "Commissioner"; or the following definition :-

" Commissioner " means the Commissioner of Elections.;'; and

(3) by the omission of the definition of "elections officer ".

Amendment of the First Schedule to the principal enactment.

29. The First Schedule to the principal enactment is hereby amended by the substitution for all the words from "The 'party, being a recognized" to "respectively of that Council. ", of the following:

"The Party, being a recognized political party/independent group or candidates of which (in the case of an independent group). . . . . . . . .. is the group leader), hereby nominates the following persons as candidates for election of members of the Municipal Council Urban Council/Pradeshiya Sabha."

Amendment of the Second Schedule to the principal enactment.

30. The Second Schedule to the principal enactment is hereby amended by the substitution for the words' "the independent group for which he votes", of the words the independent group for which he votes. He may then indicate his preferences for not more than three candidates from among the candidates nominated by such recognized political party or independent group, by pleading a cress (thus X) at the bottom of the ballot paper on the cage enclosing the serial number corresponding to the serial number assigned to each such candidate.

Replacement of the Third Schedule to the principal enactment.

31. The Third Schedule to the principal enactment Is hereby repealed and the following Schedule substituted therefor:-

Amendment of the Eighth Schedule to the principal enactment.

32. The Eighth Schedule to the principal enactment is hereby amended by the omission of items 1, 2, 3 and 4 of that Schedule.

Insertion of Ninth Schedule in the principal enactment.

33. The following Schedule is hereby inserted after the Eighth Schedule and shall have effect as the Ninth Schedule to the principal enactment.

Schedules
Interpretation.

34. Every reference in the principal enactment to "elections officer" or "assistant elections officer" shall, after the date of commencement of this Act; be read and construed as a reference respectively, to the returning officer appointed under section 4, for the district within which the electoral area is situated and to the assistant returning officer appointed, under that section, for the district within which the electoral area is situated.

Schedules