Record number to hand in nominations today

Workers erect platforms for the media in front of the Election Commission yesterday as part of preparations for a record number of 41 candidates to hand in nominations today – Pic by Ruwan Walpola

• Highest-ever number of 41 to vie in Presidential Poll
• Double the number of candidates that contested in 2015
• Over 1,200 Police personnel on duty as tight security in place for nomination day
• First election where sitting President, PM and Opposition Leader are not contesting 
• High number of candidates pushes poll bill to Rs. 5 b
• 19 from recognised political parties and 19 as independent candidates 

By Chandani Kirinde 

A record number of 41 presidential aspirants will hand in their nomination papers at the Election Commission this morning, more than double the number of candidates who contested in the 2015 poll.

Those contesting include 19 from recognised political parties, three from other political parties and 19 as independent candidates.

Police have put in place special security and traffic arrangements with effect from 6 a.m. till 12 noon today between the Ayurveda Junction and Welikada Junction in view of nomination day with over 1,200 Police personnel, including STF and Intelligence officials, among those deployed on duty.

The record number of candidates has already pushed the election bill close to Rs. 5 billion, but numbers have also become a logistical nightmare for Election officials. For tomorrow’s nominations, each candidate will be escorted to the EC building with two others, while the supporters of candidates allowed into the high security area around the EC will be restricted.

Yesterday, eight presidential hopefuls paid their deposits at the EC, bringing the tally to 41, up from 19 who contested in 2015 and the highest since the first Presidential Election in the country, which was held in 1982. This is also the first Presidential Election in which neither the sitting President, the Prime Minister nor the Leader of the Opposition is contesting.

Among the last-minute entrants to the presidential race yesterday were the former Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Northern Provincial Council member M.K. Sivajilingam, both former MPs. 

Police said that while arrangements had been made to accommodate supporters of candidates away from the Election Commission premises, they would be subject to strict security checks for which 10 security booths have been set up.

There will also be a total ban on vehicle parades as well marches and display of cut-outs, banners, and posters of candidates. Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the crowds allowed into the area would be subject to video surveillance and that those found acting unlawfully would be persecuted using the video evidence.

All schools in Borella, Colombo South, Colombo Central and around Rajagiriya will be closed today in lieu of nomination day while motorists have been asked to use alternate routes due to the road closures.

Nominations will be received between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., while objections to these nominations could be made between 9 a.m. and 11:30 am, the EC said. 

The Presidential Election is to be held on 16 November.