• EC Chair Ratnayake says no further consultations needed
• Parties propose limits for spending from 50 cents-Rs. 1000 per voter

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (18) stated that the decision pertaining to the limits on election-related expenditure will be made in the next two to three days, taking into account the issues raised during the discussions with the Presidential candidates and political party representatives regarding the same.

On 16 August, the EC convened a meeting to deliberate on the expenditure limits for candidates, as outlined in the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023. According to subsequent reports, a few Presidential candidates, during the meeting, proposed spending as much as Rs. 1,000 per voter, whereas some others suggested a much lower amount, with quotes as low as 50 cents.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (18), the EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said that the final decision on the matter would be made within the next two to three days. "We discussed this issue with Presidential candidates and political party representatives. They shared various opinions. It is ultimately the EC that will make the final decision. We will take their suggestions into account before arriving at that decision," he said.

When asked whether further deliberations with Presidential candidates and political party representatives would be necessary to finalise the decision — especially in light of reports indicating significant disparities between the suggested expenditure limits — Ratnayake responded that no additional discussions would take place.

The newly enacted Election Regulations Act, in the case of the Presidential Election scheduled for 21 September, requires candidates to adhere to a predefined spending cap, as agreed upon with the EC, and to disclose their sources of funding.