Election monitoring organizations are taking a firm stand against candidates who host extravagant parties for voters in star hotels, warning that if these candidates are appointed as Members of Parliament (MPs), their positions may be revoked through legal action in the Supreme Court.
Chairman of the Election Commission, Mr. Ananda Ratnayake, emphasized that such actions represent a blatant violation of election laws and unfairly disadvantage other candidates lacking similar financial resources. He noted historical precedents where MPs lost their seats due to similar misconduct.
To combat this issue, the Election Commission has proactively reached out to several major hotels, primarily in Kandy, urging them not to accommodate election candidates for voter entertainment. Reports have surfaced of candidates from the Sami Jana Balawega party hosting thousands of voters at three five-star hotels, sparking complaints from other candidates and election monitoring bodies.
In one instance, election officials reportedly found a candidate fleeing through a back door during a hotel raid aimed at monitoring these gatherings. As a response, election monitoring organizations are compiling a list of candidates who have violated election regulations by hosting lavish banquets for voters. This move highlights the ongoing efforts to uphold electoral integrity and ensure a level playing field for all candidates.
