EC says it cannot reject nominations on the basis of previous court rulings

By Chaminda Silva

The Election Commission (EC) is not empowered to reject the nominations of candidates with past or present court verdicts against them, Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has said.Rathnayake, contacted by The Island, noted that the EC could not reject the nomination of actor and politician Ranjan Ramanayake if he submitted it.

“If anyone wishes to challenge Ramanayake’s participation in the election, he or she will have to seek a court order against him,” Ratnayake said.

“Individuals with past or present court verdicts may have decided to contest after receiving legal advice. We do not have the power to reject their nominations,” he added.

Rathnayake also told The Island that the EC had confirmed the dates for postal voting in the 2024 general election.

Postal voting for the parliamentary election will take place on 20 October, 01 and 04 November at all District Secretariats and District Election Offices.

For those who are unable to cast postal votes on the aforementioned dates, alternative voting opportunities will be available on 07 and 08 November at the same locations, according to the EC. The certification of postal voter lists will be completed by 16 October, and these lists will be handed over to the postal department for distribution on 23 October.

Rathnayake said that the delivery of official ballot papers to post offices will commence on 26 October.

Additionally, 27 and 31 October, as well as 03 November, have been designated as special days for the distribution of official polling cards. The final date for distributing ballot papers is set for 07 November 2024, according to the EC.