Virus-hit general election to be held in May?

The general election, which was to be held on 25 April, 2020, but postponed indefinitely by the Election Commission (EC) on account of the fast spreading COVID-19 and its impact on the electoral process, is likely to be held in late May, according to political sources. However, if the highly contagious virus continues to spread, at the current rate, the parliamentary polls are likely to be further postponed, a top government official told Counterpoint. Both the government and the EC were under pressure, during the last two weeks or so, to put off polls in view of the COVID-19 spread. The EC remained noncommittal until the process of accepting nominations was over. The decision of the EC was unanimous, but there were divergent views expressed by some District Secretaries, who met the EC members, but EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya managed to convince all of them that under the prevailing circumstances it was well-nigh impossible to conduct an election and the public would be exposed to the danger of contracting COVID-19.