by Rathindra Kuruwita

The Election Commission (EC) will institute legal action against presidential candidates who have not submitted their campaign expense reports or whose reports contain inaccuracies.The deadline for the submission of the candidates’ expense reports ended yesterday.

By Sunday noon, 31 candidates had submitted their expense reports.

Among those who have not handed over their expense reports are several main candidates, according to Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections.

According to campaign finance laws each presidential candidate must submit a campaign expense report to the EC within 21 days of the announcement of the election results.

Once all 38 candidates have submitted their expense reports, the documents will be made available for public scrutiny.

If discrepancies are found in any candidate’s reports, complaints can be filed with the police, provided they are backed by credible evidence. “The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption can investigate how candidates funded their campaigns, and whether those who made substantial donations to their campaigns have made their money legally. The Inland Revenue Department can also find out whether the candidates or their main donors have paid income tax,” Hettiarachchi said, noting that the expenses reports would help reveal the number of dummy candidates who contested the 21 September election.

“I believe that some candidates will present reports stating that they have not spent any money. These are the so-called ‘dummy candidates,” Hettiarachchi said.