I’m trying to keep election costs below Rs.10 Bn: EC Chief

• The Commission is trying to minimise costs as far as possible
• The mock elections and the health equipment has added to the cost
• It’s priority is to safeguard the health of all stakeholders

By JAMILA HUSAIN  

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday he was trying his best to keep the costs for the August 5 general election below Rs.10 billion amid the challenges posed by COVID-19.   He told Daily Mirror that initially the general election was estimated to cost Rs.7 to Rs.7.5 billion but it had now shot up to Rs.9.5 billion to Rs.10 billion.   

“The Commission is trying to minimize the costs as much as possible and doing our best to keep it below Rs.10 billion. But it is a difficult task as we need to provide health gear sanitises and hold mock elections,” Mr. Deshapriya said.  

He said currently, the EC has 90 full time officers and 60 part time officers. All officials have to be provided with face masks daily and two masks for each official in case of surgical masks. We also need sanitisation equipment as well.   Mr. Deshapriya had on an earlier occasion said the Commission’s aim was to conduct the general election with all safety precautions in place so that the country need not face a re-emergence of COVID-19 because of the polls. 

• The Commission is trying to minimize the costs as much as possible and  doing our best to keep it below Rs.10 billion. But it is a difficult  task as we need to provide health gear, sanitises and hold mock  elections