EC reveals decision on candidate contesting from two political parties from Ratnapura

July 20, 2020 at 1:25 PM

The National Election Commission says a candidate who was reported to be contesting from two different political parties from the Ratnapura district for the General Elections has been disqualified from the polls.

Chairman of the Commission Mahinda Deshapriya told Newswire that the candidate has been informed in writing in this regard.

He further explained that as per the election law if the said candidate emerges victorious from any one of the parties, he will not be elected to Parliament.

“This will not have an impact on the votes or outcome of the two political parties’, Deshapriya added.

Last week, voters from the Ratnapura district called on the National Election Commission to inquire into the candidate who was reported to be contesting from two different political parties from Ratnapura for the Election.

The incident was reported when the ballot paper containing the list of candidates contesting the election was issued to voters by the Department of Posts on Wednesday (15).

The candidate, Kolonne Siri Shantha Vijaya Thero, was reported as contesting under number 3 from the Ape Janabala Party and under number 2 from the Janasetha Peramuna.

Voters raised questions on if a candidate can contest from two parties and why the nomination was not rejected on the day of submission.

The voters then requested the National Election Commission to clarify and inform them if the candidate is the same person or two different individuals. 

Responding to the inquiries, Mahinda Deshapriya clarified that irrespective of what political party the said candidate represents and if he claims victory or not, he has been disqualified from the General Election. (Newswire)