Commissioner was earlier ordered not to accept nominations

The Appeals Court also annulled the rejection letters issued by the retaining officers in the east, Chilaw and Mannar districts.

The nomination papers for 12 bodies were rejected after an order by Colombo District Court.

Elections Commissioner informed the courts on Monday that he had no objection to reaccept the nominations as the District Court has withdrawn the earlier order.

No office bearers

The courts ordered the commissioner to reaccept them as 12 petitions by SLMC General Secretary, Hasan Ali, were taken into consideration.

Justices K Sripavan and Sisira de Abroo ordered the commissioner to call elections for the said bodies after reaccepting the rejected nominations.

The District Court issued an injunction order on 15 February followed by a hearing of a petition filed by a member of the SLMC.

The petitioner alleged that the leader Rauff Hakeem and the General Secretary have no authority to sign the nomination papers as they are not recognised as party officials.

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

Elections for local government bodies are to be held on 30 March.