A date to call for nominations to hold local government polls will be announced in the last week of this month, said Election Commission chairman Nimal G. Punchihewa.
As per the provisions in the LG elections act, a gazette notification should be issued before January 05 if the election was to be held by March 20.
The commission has also finalized the electoral register at the 341 LG bodies level.
Punchihewa also said several more rounds of talks on the arrangements would be held in the coming days.
Director general of the commission Saman Sri Ratnayake said budget 2023 has approved a Rs. 10 billion cost for the holding of the LG polls.
SLPP already making preparations
Meanwhile, the SLPP says it will soon begin accepting applications from eligible candidates to contest the election.
In addition to those who have already been members of LG bodies, it said that youths, society leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs would be given priority.
Their qualifications will be considered in view of the new political culture, said the party.
Any LG bodies member found to have acted against the law or social standards will get the application rejected, the SLPP added.
