Nominations tomorrow; 33 candidates in the fray

Nominations get under way tomorrow for Sri Lanka’s eighth presidential polls -- easily the toughest for officials with more than 33 candidates in the fray.

Payments of candidate deposits for the November 16 poll must be made before noon today, National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said. Some 15.6 million of the country’s 21 million people are eligible to vote.

For the first time, the Sri Lanka Air Force will conduct air patrol to ensure no drones fly over the NEC headquarters at Sarana Road in Rajagiriya. The area is being sealed off and crowds will not be allowed, except on the two main highways – the Parliament drive and the Old Kotte Road.

More than 1,700 policemen, in addition to Special Task Force commandos, will be deployed in the area.

The polls chief said he had appealed to political parties and candidates to voluntarily remove cutouts and posters. It would be illegal to have them after tomorrow’s nominations, he said.

Tomorrow’s event, to be televised live by all channels, will see Mr. Deshapriya and his staff scrutinise the nomination papers of every candidate. After allowing time for objections, those who have conformed to the NEC requirements will be accepted.

An interesting feature is the NEC calling upon candidates to hand in their assets declarations within three months. However, the winning candidate, the Presidentelect, will be required to do so before assuming office.

Monitors from Commonwealth countries and the European Union will arrive at their own expense. Mr. Deshapriya said there would also be observers from India, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa and the Maldives. The broad mix of candidates includes a woman. There are also two members of Buddhist clergy.