Campaigning continues steadily despite uncertainty over holding of polls

More than 80, 000 candidates across the country are now campaigning for the 2023 local government election despite continued uncertainty on whether funding is available to hold the polls.

According to statistics released by the Election Commission (EC) this week, 80, 672 candidates representing 2529 recognised political parties and 329 independent groups are contesting for this year’s election.

Gampaha district has the largest number of candidates with 7530 in the fray from 154 political parties and 33 independent groups. Colombo district comes send with 7177 candidates contesting from 124 political parties and 26 independent groups. Kandy has 6297 candidates contesting from 179 political parties and 20 independent groups. Mullaitivu district has the fewest number of candidates with 592 contesting from 28 political parties and one independent group.

The EC further disclosed that it had received 676, 873 postal vote applications for the election.

Voters can also now see the names of all the candidates according to the order they are listed in the nomination lists by scanning a QR Code available on the EC’s website. This enables voters to see which political parties and independent groups are contesting the election from their ward and who their candidates are.

Candidate and party posters are now appearing in different areas while representatives of political parties and independent groups have also started going door-to-door to campaign for votes.

Leaders of the main political parties are addressing public rallies in support of their candidates. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was due to address a public rally in Dankotuwa, Wennappuwa yesterday in support of SJB candidates while National

People’s Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed a public rally in Kegalle town.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and United National Party (UNP) meanwhile, are continuing with the practice of holding meetings for their candidates in different districts. A meeting of SLPP candidates in Kegalle district was convened yesterday with the participation of SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and several MPs including Johnston Fernando and Kanaka Herath. The UNP also held a meeting for its Colombo district candidates on Friday under the leadership of Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka.