Presidential Campaign Spending Capped at Rs. 109 Per Voter as New Finance Law Takes Effect

The Elections Commissioner announced that a gazette notification will be issued tonight, stipulating that Presidential candidates may spend a maximum of Rs. 109.00 per voter during their campaigns. This cap is part of the new Campaign Finance Act, which is being implemented for the first time in the upcoming Presidential election.

Under the new regulations, once the President-elect is announced, each candidate will have 21 days to declare their funding sources. The Elections Commission will then audit these declarations and publicize the findings, allowing citizens to seek legal action if a candidate is found to have exceeded the spending limit.

The Elections Commission has also convened a meeting to discuss the appropriate amount of money candidates can spend per voter in line with the new law. Some key candidates initially proposed a ceiling as high as Rs. 1,000 per voter, while others suggested amounts as low as 50 cents. The Rs. 109 limit, however, has now been set as the official cap.

This move is aimed at ensuring a fair and transparent election process by regulating campaign spending and preventing undue financial influence on voters. As this law is enforced for the first time, it marks a significant step towards greater accountability in Sri Lanka’s electoral process. (LankaXpress.com)