‘Public should be concerned about sources of funding for electioneering’ – CMEV

by Priyan de Silva

The Rs. 3.79 billion campaign finance monitored by the Center for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) during the last parliamentary election was just the tip of the iceberg.

“This was just one-fourth of what political parties and candidates spent on their campaigns”, principle researcher, Thusitha Siriwardena said.

He said that more than the amount spent on the campaign, the public should be concerned about who provided the funds and what favors they received in return.

Siriwardena said during the last parliamentary election campaign, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was known to have spent Rs 1.85 billion, while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) spent Rs. 889 million, the United National Party (UNP) Rs. 436 million and the National People’s Power (NPP) Rs. 187 million.

“This was what was known to have been spent for propaganda on the print, electronic and social media, printing of posters, distribution of goods, transport, electoral rallies and meetings” he added.

The CMEV has appealed to the newly constituted Election Commission to introduce a legal mechanism to regulate election campaign finance.