EC rejects 86 political parties

Elections Commissioner has rejected recognising 86 new political parties.

These parties had applied for registration but failed to satisfy the conditions for registration expected by the Elections Department, sources said.

Among the parties that failed to be recognised are the party led by former joint opposition Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka and another party led by former Tamil National Alliance MP M.K. Sivajilingam.

The Elections Department had given time to correct the applications until 17 January. However, the parties have failed to fulfill the necessary requirements.