News
Election commission invites applications from eligible political parties for 2025
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
The Election Commission has invited applications from eligible political parties for the year 2025.
However, Chairman R.M.A.L Rathnayake told the Sunday Times that this invitation is not related to the upcoming Local Government Election but is part of the Commission’s routine annual process, which is scheduled to take place every year on January 1.
“According to the Act, the Election Commission must call for applications to recognize new political parties every year on January 1. However, for the past two years, we could not register political parties as the Local Government Election process was ongoing. On February 18, after receiving a two-thirds vote for the Bill and being signed by the Speaker, the election process concluded, allowing us, in accordance with the Act, to call for applications,”, he said.
Applications will be accepted only from February 28 to March 28 until 3:00 p.m.
He said if the Local Government Election date is declared within this one-month period, the application process will be temporarily halted and can only resume after the conclusion of the relevant election.
According to the EC, applications must be submitted by the party secretary either in person or via registered post, labeled “Application for Recognition of Political Parties – 2025” and addressed to the Chairman of Elections at the Election Commission in Rajagiriya. The EC has emphasized that late submissions will not be accepted.
Also the political parties those who willingly send their applications must submit key documents, including their constitution, a list of office bearers (with at least one woman), audited financial statements for the past four years, a current policy statement, and proof of active party operations over the last four years.
The EC said the recognized parties must also select an approved symbol from Gazette Extraordinary No. 2404/64, dated October 4, 2024.
As per the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981 (amended by Act No. 58 of 2009), the Election Commission’s decision on party recognition is final.
Application forms are available on the Election Commission website (www.elections.gov.lk) and at district election offices.
Meanwhile The Sunday Times learns that, according to the ongoing process, the Local Government Election date is also likely to be announced next week, as the Election Commission is set to hold its weekly meeting on Thursday, March 6.
With the upcoming Local Government Election and the security concerns associated with more than 80,000 candidates contesting, The Sunday Times questioned Election Commission Chairman about the matter. He stated that since there is still time to declare the election, the Commission is not considering security arrangements at this stage.
However, when The Sunday Times inquired about the security arrangements for the upcoming Local Government Election, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala stated that special arrangements would be made after the election date is declared. He added, “Just like in previous elections, we are not planning any extraordinary security measures. Our goal is to ensure the election is conducted smoothly, as before.”
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!