EC seeks Rs. 11 billion for general election

26 September 2024 07:05 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 34 Bookmark

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Colombo, September 26 (Daily Mirror) - The Election Commission has sought Rs. 11 billion from the Treasury to conduct the general election , an official said yesterday.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has dissolved Parliament declaring a snap general election to be concluded on November 14 after polling.

Election Commission’s Chairman R.M.L.A. Rathnayake told Daily Mirror that his office sought Rs.11 billion to cover expenditure related to the conduct of the election.The President is empowered to make allocations from the Treasury for the purpose.

For the presidential election that was concluded recently , the government allocated Rs.10 billion .

Comments - 34

DOT Thursday, 26 September 2024 07:35 AM

Lets get a loan .

3 14

johan Thursday, 26 September 2024 10:48 AM

EC must increase the fees for parties and independent candidates considering the present crisis. We saw in Presidential Election Rs.50000/= they were levying. This is nothing for all island contests. Parties should have been charged around 400000/= whilst the Individuals should have been charged 250000/-. Parties are spending millions of rupees for canvasing and meetings. These amounts are nothing for them.There should be some change we cannot run the country in the same old fashion.

0 22

This is reality Thursday, 26 September 2024 07:43 AM

The money will come for sure. There is no RW to play tricks. Besides this is the ultimate solution which the people needed for the past couple of years.

14 38

Nama; Rajapassa conducted a peaceful election Saturday, 28 September 2024 10:00 AM

Last Presidential Election was peaceful compared to elections conducted in the past. The only death was of SJB heart patient who died in the polling booth. The only violence was when SJB supporters clashed with NPP supporters. Who was instrumental for this peaceful election? Namal Rajapassa who was not in power? Eve US president mentioned this yesterday.

0 0

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 26 September 2024 07:55 AM

Election cost is quite high, Presidential Election 10 Billion by Gov, Party Campaigns SLR 19 Billions (partly earned by winning party from government projects), General Election 11 billion, Party Campaign another 20 billion. Total estimated for 2 elections is SLR 60 billion. Then you get a bunch of thieves to govern you, I hope that robbing part would change this time.

1 32

Yohan Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:09 AM

RW Pohottuwa goverment was the most unpopular goverment ever. Ranil managed to get only 17 percent while Namal managed to get only less than 3 percent. So overall government candidates were not able to get even 20 percent. On the other hand the opposition candidates namely AKD manage to get 42 percent while Sajith manage to get 32 percent. So two main opposition candidates manage to get 74 percent in total which shows the anger of people against Ranil Rajapaksa government.

6 45

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 26 September 2024 03:48 PM

Another point is that 58% did not vote for the current President, so tge opposition this time is much bigger, so if they try NPP mentality in their actions then, it will not be very good.

0 1

Labby Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:37 AM

Remember folks, no more money printing.

1 39

Zak Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:41 AM

We should hold provincial council election at the same time as general elections to save money

1 25

Ranjith Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:54 AM

What about the local government elections, this is all due to past government postponed elections, also we got the presidential election after a court case filed at Supreme Court by SJB and NPP.

2 20

Dee Thursday, 26 September 2024 09:42 AM

Remember, the most important is to get 2/3 before 6-12 months time when the s..t hits the fan. They won’t talk of local or provincial elections score getting 2/3. All the car displays and social media hype now focusing on 2/3rds.

2 15

Perera Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:49 AM

Money shouldn't be a problem as corruption is now stopped and treasury is overflowing with money.

6 26

Lal Gamage Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:26 AM

Anyhow I am sure Nandalal.we not agree and he will raise the question? It's not the time for the Election. He doesn't like to wipe out the borh RW and Pohttuwa from the political field as he can save with them. Most probably this Nov. Election will be the last election for the Pohttuwa. ' Present government must expose to every hidden agendas who tried to play out nation. Jayawewa new government.

8 10

DHA Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:50 AM

Oh my Gosh...is an Audit done after every elections? This is a massive amount just to elect a bunch of jokers to a parliament.

1 17

joshua Thursday, 26 September 2024 09:20 AM

You need to have an election, first to chase away the rogues, thugs and jokers already in that parliament. Cost to protect the democracy is huge of course.

5 21

Lankaputha Thursday, 26 September 2024 12:17 PM

Can they publish the expenses sheet. Since occurance is once in two years seems every one needs something out of it

0 2

wickrama Wijayasiri Thursday, 26 September 2024 09:26 AM

JR's legacy keeps on giving..............

1 7

D P P Prasad Thursday, 26 September 2024 09:04 AM

The returning officers and the Assistant or deputy commissioners of the election who have been designated to hold the election should very transparent and cautious in spending the state funds on the food and beverages fuel stationary the hall arrangements. Certain district level officers who are assigned to manoeuvre the each service are indirectly and surreptitiously are engaged in misappropriating the funds being allocated to the election activities As we believe that these expenses are not subjected to even auditing. Besides we are as the taxpayers are contributing the huge amount of money to the consolidated fund. Therefore we have a responsibility to look into these expenses. Hence as we believe while the election is free and fair the financial activities related to the election should be spent in a genuine manner

0 13

Ceylonese Thursday, 26 September 2024 09:41 AM

Each candidate must come out with a significant amount of the cost and the public also to contribute a certain percentage.

1 4

CitizenP Thursday, 26 September 2024 09:48 AM

At any cost we must have a team of genuine professional rather than Drug peddlers, casino owners, Bar ownersThugs. underworld figers.Gold looters( raththaran).

2 6

Judge Thursday, 26 September 2024 10:30 AM

AKD and his team should also focus on changing the electoral system - do away with this stupid preference votes and list MPs which do not do anything for SL. Get rid of Provincial and Local government elections as SL, a such a small country, is heavily over-governed. Also reduce the number of MPs. For such a small country, why do we need 225 useless MPs? The world has changed and SL needs to changed. One change away from traditional family and elite politics has already happened. If AKD and his team can bring people along with them and show the results, they can never be replaced. Watch out for mis-firing NPP members and control them too.

0 10

Overhaul Needed The Way Constituencies Are Governed Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:59 AM

So agree with your suggestion. In this day of age, with AI being around, should cut down on these ridiculous levels of government. Streamline the governance and remove either the MP’s or councils. Lesser people around to be bossy and you can pay the main person in charge more and ensure productivity in every constituency. Have a professional team to study which levels can be removed. Need a lean team of professionals to run SL and do as to cut perks, salaries and pensions accordingly.

0 2

ScranjithA Thursday, 26 September 2024 12:46 PM

Please remember the JVP's representation in the parliament in the past 3 decades was due to Proportionate Representative Election system. First-past post would have never seen any JVP MPs in the Parlimant.

3 2

Roni Kaila Somadasa Thursday, 26 September 2024 10:59 AM

Hence the reason why the Presidential and General election should have been held on the same day. We are compelled to have a provincial election after this. Fantastic thinking who ever made the decision to spread these two elections apart, may be a good idea to sell the vehicles that were put on display plus recover ones not returned. Why not tap into the loot of assets purportedly stolen for a large chunk of required funds.

0 3

Money grows on trees in SL? Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:06 AM

My, my! Rs.11 Billion is a heck of a lot money for tax payers to bear just after a Rs.10 Billion payout for a presidential election. This money should NOT be approved. Figure out a cheaper way to get this done. End of story.

0 9

LankanLover Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:40 AM

The end and a beginning of an era, People be wise in the upcoming general election.

1 3

Jayantha de silva Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:41 AM

Now every one is playing the same game . Dont worry one individual leading businessmen has donated over 100million to NPP

0 2

Power and money Thursday, 26 September 2024 05:34 PM

They pay to get favoured by political powers. Government does not investigate their friends and turn a blind eye to their deeds.

0 0

Citizen L Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:54 AM

Why in the world should the cost burden fall on the tax paying public? Let the costs be snared among the parties and candidates contesting the election. Break up 11 Billion among all contestants and get the payment from all prior to engaging on the election preparations'. If they can't pay, let them not contest. We had enough time wasters (kalakaniyas) already during the Prez election, Namal from the Rajapaksha clan included.

0 4

Cisco Thursday, 26 September 2024 01:23 PM

It is high time to change the Act to hold both presidential and general election at once. Then reduce time allocated between nomination day to day of voting, thus reduce the cost born by the parties as well as election commission. Now there are many ways to send candidates message to voters effectively with less time. Also try to establish electronic voting system.

0 1

Foot note Thursday, 26 September 2024 01:26 PM

Unbearable election costs should come to a minimal level with the new constitution, combining provincial councils and local govts. or other solution. Acceptable power devolution is necessary if NPP wishes to complete full term in office after the GE.

0 1

AGramsci Thursday, 26 September 2024 02:27 PM

The EC's request must be met because this is an investment to clean-up government, civil administration, military and the public sector. We need to eliminate corrupt politicians and their equally criminal protectors for good. There's no state system that is perfect but we must strive for perfection and excellence to wipe-out at least 200 of the previous MP's that are wasted spaces. However, the new regime must not affect the delicate balance of minority representation because if this factor is overlooked, we might trigger domestic rebellions or even incite another civil war by falling into geo-political traps set by rogue actors that are eying to exploit from our mistakes.

0 2

P Kunchithapathan Thursday, 26 September 2024 02:44 PM

The country will need to spend 11 billion to remove the corrupt ministers and MPs who have been ruining it for so long. The last government, led by Ranil and Rajapaksa, were involved in major scams that heavily burdened the Treasury. While a General Election is an expensive process, it is essential at this time. Everyone must cooperate with the new government to clean up operations and put an end to waste and abuse.

3 0

R Navaratnam Thursday, 26 September 2024 11:58 PM

General election is no doubt required now. Hence the government will have to find money without printing. Going forward, presidential and general election should be held at the same time to minimize expenditure.

0 0

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