The Election Commission has raised alarms over the widespread non-compliance by candidates regarding the submission of their election expenditure reports following the last general election. Despite clear legal requirements, only 1,985 out of the 8,361 candidates from major political parties have handed in their reports. Independent candidates fared even worse, with only 106 out of 690 submitting the necessary documentation. Additionally, just 57 out of 527 national list candidates have complied, leaving a staggering 80% of candidates in violation.
The deadline for submitting these reports is tonight, December 6, and the Election Commission has made it clear that those who fail to comply will face serious consequences. Any candidate who does not submit their election expenditure report will lose the right to vote and stand for elections for three years. Moreover, they could face a fine of Rs. 100,000 and a possible prison sentence of up to three years.
To ensure that the law is enforced, the Election Commission announced that it will notify the police about the delinquent candidates after the deadline. The police will then file the necessary legal cases against these individuals.
In light of the growing number of candidates who continue to disregard the law, Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the PAFFREL organization, has urged the Election Commission to amend the law. He proposed that candidates who fail to submit their expenditure reports should be banned from contesting elections for a period of three years. This would ensure that candidates understand the gravity of the issue and the importance of transparency in election spending.
With the deadline looming and many candidates yet to submit their reports, the Election Commission’s efforts to crack down on non-compliance could soon result in a flood of legal cases—unless, of course, more candidates decide to prioritize their legal obligations over their busy political careers.
