SLMC is seeking a court order to resubmit nomination papers

The General Secretary of the SLMC, Asan Ali, has produced 12 petitions before the Appeals Court on Wednesday citing the Commissioner and the relevant retaining officers.

The SLMC’s nomination papers for 12 local bodies in the east were earlier rejected by the retaining officers due to a ruling by the Colombo District Court.

The courts ruled that Sri SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem and its general secretary should not sign any nomination papers for the forthcoming local polls.

The court issued an injunction order followed by a hearing of a petition filed by a member of the SLMC which said that the above two officials have no authority to sign the nomination papers as they are not recognised as party officials.

The petitioner said annual convention of the party was not held for a long period of time and therefore they are no longer the officer bearers of the party.

The District Court has later annulled the injunction order.

Asan Ali has pointed out that the Commissioner currently has no legal impediment to accept the nominations after the latest ruling.