NPP bags CMC in secret vote; SJB, allies disappointed with bureaucratic action

National People's Power (NPP) councillor Vraie Cally Balthazaar yesterday (16) won a controversial secret vote to secure the mayoral seat at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

- BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO

She received 61 votes while Riza Zarook, fielded by the SJB-led Opposition, obtained 54 votes.

Two votes were rejected. The CMC consists of 117 members and the winner needs to secure at least 59 votes. At the 6 May Local Government elections, the NPP won 48 seats in the CMC while the SJB had to settle for 29.

At the onset of yesterday's proceedings, both the SJB and UNP demanded that an open vote should take place while the NPP asked for a secret vote. However, after noisy haggling over the issue for 30 to 40 minutes suddenly some Opposition members, and the NPP, declared they had reached consensus for a secret vote though some were heard insisting on an open vote.