The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (26) notified that the ceiling amount under the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023 had been gazetted as Rs. 20 for each voter.

Accordingly, EC Chairman Attorney Nimal Punchihewa told The Daily Morning that the said amount was gazetted on Wednesday (25). He also noted that Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana had endorsed the Act.

Accordingly, political parties and independent groups would spend 60% of the total amount calculated for the number of voters per ward.

Meanwhile, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, speaking to The Daily Morning said that there was a meeting held between the election monitors and the EC members yesterday, during which the implementation and awareness of the newly passed Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, also known as the Campaign Finance Law, was discussed, specifically on how the candidates should maintain their report on expenditure. 

“We discussed distributing leaflets and booklets, apart from which we would also create awareness through the media. If the candidates are not aware of the Law, they may not prepare the report by themselves. By the end of the Election, it may be challenging for the candidates to submit the report. Officially, the EC would publish advertisements but we agreed to take it to the public in different ways,” he further added. 

He further noted that booklets and leaflets would be prepared to be sent for approval by the EC. “It would be a joint effort with the EC to create awareness on the implementation of the Act for the public, particularly for the candidates. This is the first time in Sri Lankan history that a campaign finance Law under which the ceiling amount is being decided for the candidate and the parties to spend at elections, is being implemented,” he noted. 

The Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023 is an Act to regulate the expenditure incurred by recognised political parties, independent groups, and candidates at every election conducted under the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance, No. 53 of 1946, the Provincial Councils Elections Act, No. 2 of 1988, the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981 and the Presidential Elections Act, No. 15 of 1981.