Unexpected Breakfast Revelation
A week ago, during a breakfast meeting with Mahinda, Basil, and Sagala, President Ranil Wickremesinghe casually dropped a bombshell: another election is just around the corner. This revelation, especially surprising to Mahinda and Basil, hinted at the possibility of a new president calling for fresh elections to capitalize on a potential victory. Was Wickremesinghe hinting at a different scenario?
Election Commission on Standby
Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake announced at a recent news conference that the commission is fully prepared to conduct any election, be it presidential or parliamentary. He assured that if the need arises, the commission would convene and take appropriate steps. With the presidential term ending on November 18, Ratnayake emphasized that the commission is ready to discuss and conduct any election, responding to a hypothetical question about potential upcoming elections.
Astrologers to Guide Nominations
In an unprecedented move, the Election Commission will consider astrological factors when accepting nominations. This decision has sparked curiosity about whether state-sponsored astrologers will be involved. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, which maintains a panel of astrologers, will play a role in this process. Nominations will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on auspicious dates, with a half-hour window for objections.
Under Fire and Financial Concerns
The Election Commission has faced criticism for not announcing the exact date of the presidential election at the earliest opportunity, especially amidst tensions rising due to a proposed constitutional amendment by President Wickremesinghe. The Commissioner General of Elections addressed these concerns, stating that the announcement will be made before the end of the month, well within the allowable period.
With 17.1 million eligible voters, including about a million new voters, the upcoming election is a significant event. However, elections are expensive. The cost of the 2015 presidential election was Rs 2.7 billion, which rose to Rs 4.5 billion in 2019. With inflation and rising prices, the upcoming election is estimated to cost around Rs 10 billion
