Government gazettes Election Expenditure Bill

By Randima Attygalle

The Government this week took the first step towards enacting legislation to control election expenditure with Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe issuing a relevant Bill in the Government Gazette. The Bill titled ‘Regulation of Election Expenditure’, will apply to Local Council, Provincial Council, parliamentary and presidential elections. 

The proposed law requires the Election Commission, in consultation with recognised political parties, independent groups and other candidates contesting any of the specified elections, fix by Order published in the Gazette, a sum of money in rupees to be used for the purpose of calculating the authorised amount in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

While candidates are restricted to incur expenditure in excess of the authorised amount, the law also makes it an offence to exceed such authorised amount in respect of an election. The new law will also make it illegal candidates to accept donations from Government institutions, foreign governments, an international organisation or a body corporate incorporated or registered outside Sri Lanka, companies established in Sri Lanka where 50% or more shares are held by foreign investors and undisclosed donors. 

Provisions are also made for a candidate to submit return of donations or contributions received and expenditure incurred within 21 days from the publication of election results. Publication of notice relating to receipt of returns and declarations in at least one newspaper in the Sinhala, Tamil and English languages is also made mandatory by the law.