Regulation of Elections’ Expenditure Bill presented to Parliament

• The Election Commission would decide on an  authorized amount which a candidate contesting, could spend  for his campaign

By Yohan Perera 

The Regulation of Elections’ Expenditure Bill under which the election commission is to be vested with the right to decide on an authorized amount which a candidate contesting any elections could spend for his campaign, was presented to Parliament yesterday.   

The Bill which was presented to the House by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe provides provisions for the Commission of Elections to decide on an authorized amount for a Presidential election, Parliamentary elections, local government election and a provincial council election candidate after conferring with political parties.  

A candidate contesting for any other election is prevented from.accepting funds or any other assistance from a government institution, from a foreign government and local registered private companies for his campaign, under the legislation.  

This law was initially proposed by the select committee on electrical reforms headed by the incumbent Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene some years ago.   
Minister Rajapakshe said he will issue the gazette notification on the Bill soon.