Annamalai Muththappan Chettiar Group Leader v. A. Senanayake, Returning Officer – NO. 573/2011-2011

In the case between Annamalai Muththappan Chettiar (Petitioner; Group Leader, Independent Group) and A. Senanayake (Returning Officer, Colombo Municipal Council Elections Office) along with multiple respondents, the court considered the validity of nomination papers where the birth certificate was not attached and the affidavits of youth candidates failed to state the date of birth, instead stating the candidates were “over 18 years.” It was held that such omissions amounted to non-compliance with Section 31(1)bbb and Section 4(a) of the Local Authorities Elections Amendment Act No. 25 of 1990. The court reaffirmed the principle that strict compliance with statutory nomination requirements, rather than mere substantial compliance, is mandatory. The holding drew on existing precedent requir