The authorized amount to be incurred by candidates of recognized political parties, other political parties and candidates nominated by electors, contesting the presidential election 2024, held to elect the President under a written law in pursuance of the provisions of the Presidential Election act, No. 15 of 1981, for election propaganda activities as fixed by the Election Commission in consultations with the recognized political parties, other political parties, electors who nominated the candidates and candidates, contesting the presidential election, in accordance with section 03 of the regulation of Election Expenditure act, No. 03 of 2023 is indicated in the schedule below.
Each candidate contesting at the Presidential Election – 2024 to elect the President is authorized to incur a sum not exceeding of Rs.109.00 (one hundred and nine rupees) only per elector for the purpose of election propaganda activities.
Accordingly, the maximum amount that could be incurred by a candidate is Rs. 1,868,298,586.00 (one billion, eight hundred and sixty eight million, two hundred and ninety eight thousand, five hundred and eighty six rupees) only.
Sixty percent (60%) i.e. rs. 1,120,979,151.60 (one billion, one hundred and twenty million, nine hundred and seventy nine thousand, one hundred and fifty one rupees and sixty cents), out of this amount, can be incurred by each candidate for propaganda activities.
The secretary of the recognized political party or other political party or the elector who nominated the candidate, is authorized to incur forty percent (40%) i.e. rs.747,319,434.40 (seven hundred forty seven million, three hundred and nineteen thousand, four hundred and thirty four rupees and forty cents) only, for propaganda activities of the candidate.
The election expenditure reports should be prepared, and handed over to the Election Commission by the recognized political party, other political party, electors who nominated the candidate or candidate, as the case may be, with attestation of the signature of the candidate by Commissioner of Oaths or Justice of the Peace within a period of twenty one (21) days from the date of declaration of results of the election.
This report should include,
i. an estimated cost of all donations and contributions, accepted or received in cash or kind by such recognized or other political party or candidate, stating whether they are donations, loans, advances or deposits,
ii. name, address and number of NIC, TINof the IRD or the registration number of the donor, contributor, or the institution incorporated or non-incorporated, who made the donation or contribution. this report should include expenditure on
a. all media activities (propaganda notices, handbills, posters, banners, pictures, photographs advertisements etc.),
b. radio and television programs,
c. news bulletins, magazines, periodicals, social media, digital exposes or any other digital media or publications, and
d. supply of fuel to vehicles
with the information whether payments were made or not, if paid, the bills, if not paid, the name, NiC number and address of the person who provided the particular service/ donations.
This report should not include the expenditure on
a. transport costs of the candidate
b. costs on stationery, telephone charges or any other communication mode
04. the Election Commission will publish a notice within 10 days of the receipt of such report in sinhala, tamil and English languages, at least in one national newspaper, informing the date, time and place where the report could be scrutinized.
05. any person is allowed to obtain a copy of such report after making the payments prescribed by the Election Commission. Relevant rates can be obtained from the Returning Officers.
06. Failure to submit the reports before the stipulated date, and submission of defective reports, is an offence, by the recognized political party or other political party or the elector who nominated the candidate or candidate in terms of the Presidential Election act, No.15 of 1981 and will be subject to penalties thereunder.
07. (1). In the Presidential Election 2024, any recognized political party, other political party elector who nominated the candidate or candidate should not solicit or accept directly or indirectly any donation, contribution in cash or kind for the purpose of promotion or accommodation of any party or candidate from
i. any government department, public corporation or company incorporated under the Companies act, No. 7 of 2007 or any act prior to the promulgation of this act
ii.any foreign state, international organization, or a body incorporated outside sri Lanka
iii. any company incorporated in Sri Lanka under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007 or under any previous law where fifty or more shares held directly or indirectly by foreign ownership, or
iv. any person whose identity is not established
(2) Any candidate who violates the provisions in the subsection (1), commits an offense under the Presidential act, No. 15 of 1981 and is subject to the penalties thereunder.