Key candidates seek to spend Rs.1,000 a voter, lesser-known 50 cents

By Kelum Bandara and Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

A few key candidates, in their meetings with the Election Commission to decide on a ceiling on campaign financing, have sought to spend as much as Rs.1,000 for a voter according to the new law whereas some others have quoted as low as 50 cents, a source said.

There were also candidates who quoted Rs. 350 per voter.

The Commission called for a meeting yesterday to discuss the amount of money to be spent by candidates in the draw in terms of the new Campaign Finance Act which stipulates them to stick to a certain amount agreed upon with the election authorities and to declare their funding sources. The new law is implemented for the first time in this election.

At yesterday's meeting, the Commission asked for rates on behalf of each candidate who submitted them in detail. The Commission is expected to announce its decision depending on rates quoted by each of them and declare an acceptable amount in a gazette notification to be issued within the next couple of days.

The candidates who sought the highest rate of Rs.1,000 for a voter have cited the involvement of helicopter rides in campaigning across the country and printing posters outsourced to overseas companies as a reason for the high cost.

A top source of the Commission said some lesser-known candidates quoted low rates purely due to political reasons.

“They have not taken into account the current cost of living in deciding on the campaign financing amount. There were others who said Rs.20 per voter will be enough as decided in view of the local authorities election declared earlier but not concluded,” he said.

After the President-elect is announced, each candidate is required to declare their funding sources within 21 days. After that, the Commission will audit and publicize funding enabling people to move court in case any candidate has exceeded the spending ceiling.