No change in Prez poll candidate’s deposit this time – Minister

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha told Parliament yesterday (24) that it is not possible to implement the proposal to increase the deposit placed by candidates representing recognised political parties as well as independent candidates for the upcoming Presidential Election.

The Leader of the House said that although the Election Commission has made the proposal regarding this matter, a policy decision should be taken on it and it should be forwarded to the Legal Draftsman’s Department and the Attorney General’s Department and again get approval from the Cabinet and it will take some time. Therefore, Susil Premajayantha said that it is difficult to implement the relevant proposal for this year’s Presidential Election.

Minister Susil Premajayantha stated this while replying to a question raised by MP Dullas Alahapperuma.

Alahapperuma, who referred to the question, mentioned that it has been proposed to increase the deposit placed by candidates representing recognised political parties to Rs 2.5 million and the fee of independent groups to be increased to Rs 3. million. It is a positive proposal and if a policy decision is taken to implement this proposal without any delay, it would also be a relief to the Treasury.

Further commenting on that, MP Alahapperuma said that about a year ago the Cabinet of Ministers granted its consent to the proposed deposit and this amendment was presented by the Election Commission. It is the amendment presented during the time of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. According to the amendment Act No. 15 of 1981, only 50,000 rupees will be charged in case of a recognised political party and 75,000 rupees in case of an independent candidate.

It is a very important proposal. 35 candidates appeared in the last election. Apart from the two main candidates, all the other candidates’ deposits were confiscated. This time the number of candidates would be 80-85. So the amount of Rs 50,000 and Rs 75,000 proposed before 43 years.

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