• The expenditure will have to be curtailed further and postponed until planned revenue to be raised after tax revisions  

By Kelum Bandara  

The Election Commission will find its hands tightened in obtaining goods and services required in the conduct of elections to the local authorities after the Cabinet decision prohibiting public officers obtaining them on credit, an official familiar with elections said.  The official who insisted on anonymity told Daily Mirror the election office is required to purchase goods and services from the private and government sectors to discharge its functions during election times.  

 “Even food items for officials on duty are purchased on credit. Besides, the election authorities are required to hire vehicles including buses on credit to be used in poll-related works. All are done on credit. Even the public servants are employed to be paid later. It means the latest Cabinet approval secured by President Ranil Wickremesinghe will hamper the conduct of elections,” he said.   

The President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, said in the Cabinet note that the Government revenue at present (January 2023) is far below the monthly expenditure for January and therefore the expenditure will have to be curtailed further and postponed until planned revenue to be raised after tax revisions.

• The election office is required to purchase goods and services from  the private and government sectors to discharge its functions during  election times