Chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa at a discussion held with the media chiefs at the EC Office on January 12 said that the Provincial Council elections should be held as they are a part of the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The Chairman of the EC pointed out that the non-holding of the Provincial Council elections has only prevented the appointment of people's representatives to those institutions and that the functions assigned to the Provincial Councils are being carried out as usual. “Some parties point out that the expenses incurred by the Provincial Councilors are a waste of money. However, according to the reports of the Finance Commission, the expenditure incurred on the staff and members of the Provincial Councils is only about 0.3 percent of the total expenditure of those Provincial Councils,” said the Chairman of the Election Commission. He further pointed out that a large role pertaining to various fields is being played through the Provincial Councils.