No identification cards for those who don’t submit Assets and Liabilities: Polls Chief

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said that Identification Cards would not be issued to election candidates who do not submit their assets and liabilities.

Addressing political party secretaries at Rajagiriya Election Secretariat yesterday, he said that even though Police can identify the candidates from mainstream political parties, the identification card would help the Police to recognize new candidates as well.

Election monitoring officers as well as the Police also participated in the meeting.

At the same time, the Election Commissioner permitted candidates to set up one party office per electorate, other than the one at his or her residence.

He gave this permission at the request of political party secretaries.

Under the Election Law, a candidate can set up a party office only at his residence.  

The Election Commissioner also permitted up to 25 supporters of one candidate to engage in door to door canvassing.

Earlier the number of supporters for canvassing was limited to 15.

Paffrel organization drew the attention of the Election Commissioner today that certain candidates pay to hire a large number of official vehicles for their campaigns.

At that moment, the Election Commissioner said government ministers or parliamentarians could use only 3 state vehicles even if they pay for them.  

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva stated that due to the limitation of time, they have requested to increase the number of persons to engage in door to door canvassing, and the number was increased up to 25 upon everyone’s agreement.

Two lawyers representing the UNP and former TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran also participated in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the President issued a circular stating that with effect from the 20th of this month to 20th of August the Ministers, Deputy Ministers and State Ministers can use their official vehicles after making the relevant payments.

In addition, the Secretary to the President informed all ministerial secretaries and other state officials to seek the Election Commissioner’s advice before recruitment, appointments, promotions and transfers of government service during the election period.