The Government has taken steps to hold Local Government elections for the Jaffna Municipal Council and the Vavuniya Urban Council, in a bid to restore the democratic rights of the people in the North. Nominations for the election will be announced on June 4.

Establishment of local government bodies in the North would give an impetus for development and democracy in the Northern Province which was battered by terrorism for almost three decade, said Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils.

Local Government in Northern Province comprises one Municipal Council, five Urban Councils and 28 Pradeshiya Sabhas. The Government conducted the local poll for the Putukuduyirppu Pradeshiya Sabha in 2006 where the representatives were elected uncontested.

The polls for the other Local Government bodies were postponed due to the conflict in the North.

“The forthcoming election will restore the Tamil people’s democratic rights denied to them by LTTE terrorists. The Government is committed to hold elections and give an opportunity to the public to exercise their franchise to elect representatives of their choice to local government bodies”, the Minister added.

The nominations from the recognized political parties and independent groups would be called within two weeks of the date of issuing the Gazette notification, said an Elections Department official.