The period for the candidates contesting the upcoming Presidential Election, which will be held on 21st September, to submit deposits was over at noon on 14th August. Accordingly, the Election Commission stated that 40 people submitted deposits to contest the Presidential Election.

The Election Commission also stated that 22 registered political parties and another political party are among them. Seventeen people have already deposited money as independent candidates for the Presidential Election. You can refer to the list here.

How to submit nominations?

Although 22 candidates contested the 2010 Presidential Election, the number of candidates was reduced to 19 in the 2015 election. However, the number of candidates increased to 35 in 2019. This time, the number of candidates who deposited money has risen to 40.

What are the problems caused by the increasing number of candidates?

Election Commissioner General Mr Saman Sri Rathnayake stated at a news conference held in Colombo on 9 August that if the number of candidates contesting the presidential election continues to increase, a huge expenditure of 200 million rupees will have to be incurred for each additional candidate. You can refer to more information here.

The results of the last three Presidential Elections show that except for the first five leading candidates, others have received 2% or even less of the total votes.

However, it is ridiculous that so many candidates have deposited money, stating they are submitting nominations for the election. The country is currently facing a deep economic downturn. In such a case, spending thousands of money to hold an election is unsuitable. However, the fact that the constitution must hold an election to preserve the democratic system cannot be ignored.

As there is no legal possibility of postponing the presidential election, the authorities are responsible for holding it at the correct time.

Although not directly related to this topic, many commentators believe abolishing the executive presidential system and drafting a new constitution is essential. Some say the “executive” presidential system is unsuitable for Sri Lanka. The proposal to abolish this system came after adopting the 1978 constitution, which introduced it. The proposal to abolish the executive presidential system and draft a new constitution will be debated in the coming presidential election.

If the executive presidential system is abolished in the next five years, the issue of dozens of candidates running for the presidential election will not arise. However, even though some political leaders have proposed abolishing this system since 1994, it has not been implemented practically.

UPFA