President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday ordered the Elections Commissioner to hold a presidential election in January 2010.

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday summoned all party leaders in the alliance, Ministers and Parliamentarians to Temple Trees and announced the forthcoming election.

The Elections Commissioner was scheduled to issue the Gazette notification at midnight yesterday.

All those present at the meeting wished the President well and assured their unstinted support to ensure his re-election.

The President ordered the Elections Commissioner under the powers vested in him under the section 31 3 (A) of the Constitution to hold a Presidential election at the end of the fourth year of holding office.

Nominations for the election have to be called within 16 to 21 days of the issuance of the Gazette notification announcing the election, which should be held between four to six weeks of the calling for nominations.