Emergency meeting with Treasury over printing crisis: EC

The Election Commission will meet top officials from the Treasury today to seek a Rs.400 million fund release for the printing of ballot papers and other documents required for the upcoming local government election.

Chairman of the Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa told Timesonline that the Commission plans to hold the postal voting as scheduled on February 22, 23 and 24, therefore funds for the printing of ballot papers and other documents will be sought from the Treasury or obtain a Treasury guarantee.

“We will convince Treasury officials to make arrangements to release the total Rs. 400 million or at least to pay 50 percent and the remaining as a guarantee. If all fails we will request the Treasury to provide a full guarantee to the Government Printer,” he said.

He said the next three days will be crucial for the Commission as it will do its best to hold the postal voting and March 09 local council polls as planned.

Commissioner of Elections Saman Ratnayake said the Department of Government Printing already has previous stocks of papers that can be used for ballot papers and are able to go ahead with the printing.

“The Government Printer is concerned over a circular on limiting public expenditure. But it is a violation of the constitutional right to vote,” he said.

On Monday, Chief Printer Gangani Liyanage said printing of ballot papers will cost Rs. 234.6 million and together with printing other election-related documents the total cost would be Rs. 401 million.

In a letter addressed to the Finance Ministry Secretary, Ms. Liyanage sought advice with regard to the Department bearing the cost of election-related printing while adhering to the circular controlling expenditure in state institutions.

The decision to suspend the printing of ballot papers resulted in the postponement of postal voting.

Commissioner of Election Saman Sri Ratnayake in an announcement yesterday said the delay was caused due to reasons "beyond the control" of the Election Commission. Therefore, fresh dates on the postal voting will be notified later.