LG Election: EC prepares for ’’vast and complex challenge’’ of implementing campaign finance laws

The Election Commission (EC) will convene a meeting with representatives of political parties and independent groups contesting the upcoming local government election soon after the end of acceptance of nominations to decide on spending limits for the election in accordance with campaign finance laws. 

Nominations for the 2025 local government elections will be accepted from March 17 until 12 noon on March 20. 

Provisions of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act No. 3 of 2023 stipulate that within five days after the conclusion of the period of nominations, the EC shall, in consultation with recognised political parties and independent groups contesting such elections, issue a gazette specifying an amount in Sri Lankan rupees that will be used to calculate the authorised final amount. 

EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told Timesonline that the EC would have to face the challenge of calculating maximum spending limits for each of the 339 local councils which will be electing members from more than 80, 000 candidates who will be contesting. He noted that it will be a "vast and complex challenge" to calculate spending limits for so many local bodies. Meanwhile, separate ballot papers will also have to be printed for each of the local councils separately given the differences of which parties and groups will contest. 

The EC summoned a meeting of all Returning Officers and Assistant Election Commissioners for a meeting last Sunday where a plan was drawn up regarding the deployment of police, the setting up of polling and counting centres, the numbers of public officials involved and the estimated cost of the election.