General election to cost up to Rs.7.5 bn

26 February 2020 06:24 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

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The Elections Commission said yesterday the cost of the upcoming parliamentary elections will cost an estimated Rs.7.5 billion should there be an increase in the number of independent groups in the fray.

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya told Daily Mirror that currently there were 70 registered political parties of which 64 were active and that at the current figures the estimated cost of holding the general election was estimated to cost between Rs.5 billion and Rs.6 billion but was bound to rise if more candidates register.

EC sources said since candidates only have to pay a fee of Rs.2,000 to register for the polls, several more Independent candidates are expected to contest countrywide.

Colombo District has the highest number of candidates with 22 contestants.

Government sources said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will dissolve Parliament on March 2 with elections to be held on April 25 or 26. (JAMILA HUSAIN)

Comments - 4

Jude Wednesday, 26 February 2020 09:37 AM

The cost of damage incured by elected members to SL economy is a Myraid !!!

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A Wednesday, 26 February 2020 10:21 AM

What can we do with this money what a waste to to give more benifts to the these jokers once elected

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Ram Wednesday, 26 February 2020 01:59 PM

Elections advanced by 6 months to satisfy the politicians desires the public got to st the cost. If elections were to be held when due one tenth of the cost could have been saved as we the public pay for 6 months to satisfy the politicians

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Liberal One Wednesday, 26 February 2020 03:57 PM

We should seriously think about a way to hold presidential and parliamentary elections together and abolish the provincial councils.

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