The Election Commission (EC) hopes that the necessary funds for the preliminary work related to the upcoming Presidential Election will be received by the end of June this year.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (16), EC Chairman, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that they had already initiated certain work related to the Presidential Election such as the revision of the voters’ registration, but that they received separate funds for such activities. “We will consider the 2024 voters’ registration in holding the Presidential Election. The revision of the voters’ registration is considered as a general work of the EC, so we have received funds for it.”

He also said that the EC would have to commence initial work related to the Presidential Election by the month of July of this year, and that the allocated money would be needed by then. “Since we are supposed to hold the Presidential Election before 16 October, we need to start the process by July. Therefore, we should be receiving the money allocated for the said Election by the end of June. We will be needing it in installments.”

The voters’ registration pertaining to this year, which was initially planned to be commenced from 1 February, commenced on 1 January. Rathnayake said at that time that the relevant process had to be expedited in view of the upcoming Presidential Election. Accordingly, the relevant Government officials such as the Grama Niladharis had been entrusted with the task of going from house to house to obtain the necessary information for the registration of voters.