The Draft Bill to amend the Local Authorities Elections Act, enabling the cancellation of nominations submitted for the 2023 Local Government Elections and the calling of fresh nominations, has been gazetted.

The bill, issued on the order of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, will be presented to Parliament for approval at a later date.

As per the draft bill, nomination papers submitted for the elections initially scheduled for 9 March 2023 will become invalid. It also includes provisions for refunding deposits made by candidates nominated by political parties or independent groups.

Once passed in Parliament, the Election Commission will announce a fresh nomination date, which must fall at least three months before the implementation of the act.