Returning officers are facing a dilemma over contradictory directions issued by two different authorities.

  The Commissioner General of Elections has directed all returning officers to accept the security deposit for the local government election in terms of the LG election law. The Commissioner General has reminded them the Election Commission had appointed them and act in accordance with the directions of the election commission. Earlier in the day, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, acting on a directive of the Cabinet of Ministers, instructed all returning officers of the provinces to refrain from accepting the security deposits from the candidates. However, it is learnt that the secretary has withdrawn the communication stating that it was a technical glitch.