Stick to declared spending limits – ECSL warns Presidential candidates

• Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake says legal action can be taken against those who exceed declared expenditure limits 
• Stresses public has right to report any violations to Police 
• Gazette released has announced a cap of Rs. 109 per voter
• Candidates will be required to submit expenditure reports to ECSL within 21 days of results

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has announced stringent measures to regulate campaign spending for the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election, warning that legal action can be taken against candidates who exceed declared expenditure limits.

Addressing the media yesterday, Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake emphasised that the public has the right to report any violations to the Police. He highlighted the importance of these regulations in ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

A new gazette was issued stipulating the maximum amount a candidate can spend per registered voter. According to the ECSL, each candidate is permitted to spend a maximum of Rs. 109 per voter, which totals up to Rs. 1.8 billion (Rs. 1,868,298,586.00) for the entire electorate.

However, the law imposes a cap on direct candidate spending, allowing only 60% of this total amount, approximately Rs. 1,120,979,151.60, to be spent by the candidates themselves. The remaining 40%, totalling Rs. 747,319,434.40, is allocated for spending by the candidate’s nominating party or individual supporters.

These regulations are part of the new campaign finance laws passed in 2023 with the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill. The 2024 Presidential Election will serve as the first test of these new rules.

The extraordinary gazette issued falls under Section 3 of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023. The ECSL confirmed that these limits were established after consultations with all recognised political parties, candidates of other political parties, and independent Presidential candidates.

In addition, the law mandates that all Presidential candidates must submit their election expenditure reports to the ECSL within 21 days following the announcement of the election results.