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Elections Commission says 35 candidates to contest polls

07 Oct, 2019

A record 35 candidates handed in their nomination papers on Monday to contest the Presidential election next month.

The Elections Commission announced that 35 candidates have been approved to contest the Presidential election on 16 November.

National Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said that among the candidates are independent candidates and candidates from recognized political parties.

Deshapriya said that 41 candidates had placed cash bonds to contest the election but of them some had withdrawn while the others did not turn up on time to submit their nomination papers.

He said that over Rs. 4 Billion will be spent to conduct the Presidential election this year.

Deshapriya said that there are logistical issues at this election as the number of candidates contesting is higher than normal.

He said that the Elections Commission will need to have more human resources at the election and will also need to import more election boxes.

Deshapriya said that the National Elections Commission will also need to allocate more space than usual as counting centers on election day to accommodate the counting staff and representatives of all the candidates.

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