Independent candidates used as proxies in elections: Former Election Commissioner

12 August 2024 06:38 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, August 12 (Daily Mirror) - Many independent candidates are used as proxy candidates for another candidate who was actually contesting the Presidential Election, former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Addressing the media at Fort, he said that he cannot say anything bad about independent candidates.

"President Ranil Wickremesinghe is contesting Sri Lanka's upcoming Presidential Election as an independent candidate. He has previously held positions such as the incumbent President, former Prime Minister, and former Opposition Leader," he said.

"However, based on our experience, many independent candidates act as proxies for those actually running in the election. It is evident that three or four former MPs with direct ties to a particular party have submitted nominations to support one independent candidate. I am open to any challenge regarding the issue of proxy candidates.

"If they want to change their independent candidacy, they should inform authorities before submitting their nominations. They must present at least 50,000 affidavits, either in person or through an online system, to have their nominations accepted. Imposing a fine of Rs. 5 million is ineffective compared to the cost of holding an election," Deshapriya said.

Comments - 18

STOOGES CONTESTING TO PROP UP RANIL. NEVER HEARD OF GOVT FUNDING CANDIDATES AND PAYING FOR THEIR DEPOSITS, USUALLY CANDIDATES PAY THEIR OWN WAY WHEN CONTESTING AND IT AMAZES ME TO SEE SO MANY RUNNING Monday, 12 August 2024 07:21 PM

EXCELLENT ARTICLE, I WAS THINKING THE SAME AND WENT TO QUESTION AS TO WHY SO MANY CANDIDATES COMING OUT, WHEN WERE THEY FORMED AND WHO PAID FOR THEIR DEPOSITS??. i SAW ONE GOVT M.P. CONFIRM IN A ARTICLE IN THIS NEWSPAPER THAT THE GOVT WAS PREPARED TO PAY FOR THEIR DEPOSITS, UNLESS I MISINTERPRETTED HIS ARTICLE (WHICH I DOUBT).

2 8

DJ Monday, 12 August 2024 07:21 PM

You did absolutely nothing when you were in office.

5 16

Karalasingam Sivalingam Monday, 12 August 2024 09:00 PM

Proxy candidates should be fined 10 million, prohibited from holding any governmental positions and banned contesting any future elections, this amounts to cheating, another form of corruption. Their entry as proxy candidates, increases election expenses as well.

2 16

Hadira Monday, 12 August 2024 09:05 PM

It's the duty of parliament to enact laws by introducing huge deposits say 10 million SLRs for independent candidates to prevent proxies and no government want to initiate this for personal reasons

0 11

Grace Tuesday, 13 August 2024 04:42 AM

Ten million rupees is a peanut for those who people who want to deceive gullible voters.

0 1

Gihan Monday, 12 August 2024 09:35 PM

This is the guy who failed in his duty to adequately vet GR's eligibility to run for presidency when it was a major public concern. Whether he had a deal with the Rajapakse family or not we don't know. But given that he single handedly failed to prevent a clearly ineligible candidate from running for office and subsequently run the country and its economy to the ground, he could also be considered culpable for the criminal damage that was caused to the state. Now he has the audacity to come into the public and talk big shop.

0 2

Chryshan Monday, 12 August 2024 10:58 PM

We should avoid voting for candidates who plant these proxies. These are done to get TV airtime etc. If an independent candidates talk in favour of another candidate both should be avoided.

0 0

ANURA PUTS AN END TO RANIL'S POLITICAL JOURNEY Tuesday, 13 August 2024 12:24 AM

PEOPLES POWER WILL BE VOTING IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WAY AND NOT WITH THE USUAL PARTIES THEY SUPPORTED FOR GENERATIONS. POLITICIANS AND OR THEIR SUPPORTERS VERBALLY CONFIRMING THEIR SUPPORT TO DICK, TOM OR HARRY MEANING NOTHING!!.THE SUPPORTERS WILL GO INTO THE BOOTHS AND CAST THEIR VOTE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES. WE WILL FIND SOME STOOGES AT POLING BOOTH THERE TO PREY ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EITHER ELDERLY AND OR THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS THAT GOES ALONG TO ELECT A PRESIDENT. CORRUPTION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR GENERATIONS WITH THE HELP OF STOOGES, WITH THE YOU SCRATCH MY BACK AND I WILL SCRATCH YOURS (WITH A HAND SHAKE) HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOOR AND WHEN FRIENDS FALL OUT, WHISPERS GO AROUND AND THE GHOST IS OUT.

1 0

Judge Tuesday, 13 August 2024 02:21 AM

I still don't understand how these proxi candidates are going to help other candidate. In what way? Can someone explain?

0 0

Kevin Tuesday, 13 August 2024 02:35 AM

Ranil is an independent candidate too. A Rajapaksa proxy.

1 0

Kevin Tuesday, 13 August 2024 03:39 AM

Another interesting feature of independent candidates is that if an independent candidate dies before the election, no one can replace them. It is the end of the road for the people behind an independent candidate. But a candidate from a political party can be replaced.

0 0

Ram P Tuesday, 13 August 2024 05:29 AM

With Proxy candidates the true candidates can have more active staff at the polling booths, at counting as counting agents etc. That will be those assigned to the true candidate and those assigned to proxy candidate

0 0

Palibto Tuesday, 13 August 2024 05:51 AM

They make the law, the break the law.... Voters and public are nothing but a ticket to a seat which they pay either in money and or deception. Fools still vote, bootlickers will survive and the remaining will keep quite so that it's not thier problem This election is an eye wash for sure

0 0

Adwani Tuesday, 13 August 2024 06:55 AM

You too became proxi and did not question who those two persons were, when they entered election office during last election. It was professor R. Hoole who exposed it.

0 1

city Tuesday, 13 August 2024 07:29 AM

This guy is also a proxy of a party.

0 1

Terrence K Tuesday, 13 August 2024 08:07 AM

Have you by any chance changed your colours like a Katussa ? It seems that you have a sixth sense in seeing the future thats why the colour of the shirt!!!!!!

0 0

Ranjith Tuesday, 13 August 2024 08:52 AM

People shouldn't vote any of the independent and all independent candidates all or most of the independent candidates are backing Ranil ,our politicians has not learned anything from the Aragalaya, still they are engaged in dirtiest politics to grab power with public finances

0 0

Zacky AMM Tuesday, 13 August 2024 08:36 PM

It looks like "Meco" is with our President

0 0

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