Each increasing Prez candidate to cost Rs.200 Mn – ECG

• Ballot paper to have two rows if over 36 candidates vie
• Initial cost of Rs.10 Bn expected to increase

Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake says that he believes if the number of candidates running for the Presidential Election continues to increase further, the cost for each such candidate could amount to Rs.200 million.

He said that if the number of candidates exceeds 36, the ballot papers will have to be printed in two rows. He also said the initially estimated Rs.10 billion for the election could increase.

Addressing the media in Colombo Ratnayake further said “as soon as one candidate increases, our expenses will increase by at least Rs.200 million.It is the money of the people of this country. There are some who come for ideological reasons.

But many others are coming to use the media time. Underlying intentions include being a member of parliament later or a corporation chairman or even a permit for a quarry or a sand permit and such personal reasons.

The maximum length of a ballot paper is only 27.5 inches. If the number of candidates increase, it could go to another page. In such a case the number of ballots we can put in a ballot box will decrease and the number of boxes have to be increased and the cost will rise.

“It doesn’t matter if the cost is high, if it is for a real ideology and representation. In the last few elections, except for the two main candidates, all the candidates got less than five percent of the vote. Candidates who love the country should think about these things,” he said.

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