ANFREL urges for controls, transparency on Sri Lanka’s polls funding resources
Posted on August 19th, 2015
Courtesy adaderana
The existing election laws in Sri Lanka favours candidates with huge financial resources, says the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) which deployed a team of election observers from countries across Asia to observe the August 17 Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka.
The monitoring mission added that, as mentioned by the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), campaign finance is one of the means of leveling the playing field.
ANFREL added that when it interviewed several top executives in Sri Lanka’s finance industry, one had pointed out that according to his observations during the run-up to the 17 August General Elections in Sri Lanka, in less than 30 minutes Rs. 150 million was spent by less than 10 candidates on their political advertisements.
A Member of Parliament receives some Rs. 89,000 a month. If this is multiplied by 60 – the months for the five-year term, then he receives Rs. 5.3 million for his five-year period. Hence, a Parliamentarian running for office will spend millions of rupees in canvassing and propaganda campaigns.
Hence, there should be a limit on these expenditures and a definition on the lawful contributions to a particular party or candidate and also accurate reporting and auditing of the expenditure by a candidate or party as well as a listing or reporting of their donations.
August 19th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
INTERLOPERS COME TO ADVICE AFTER ALL THE CANDIDATES HAVE JUST THROWN MILLIONS INTO THE ELECTION CAMPAIGNS.
ANFREL SHOULD HAVE COME BEFORE THE ELECTIONS AND REMINDED THE CANDIDATES TO GIVE SHELTER AND CLOTHING TO THE POOR AND BE RECOGNIZED BY THE VOTERS, RATHER THAN PUTTING THEIR CRAFTY FACE ON HAND BILLS AND CUTOUTS. SPENDING 150 MILLION TO GET INTO PARLIAMENT IS NOT TO WORK FOR THE COUNTRY, BUT TO SEE HOW THEY CAN STEAL MILLIONS FROM STATE RESOURCES.
This Election saw very much less Cut-outs than earlier. The 89,000 a month is only the Pay cheque. Calculate the THOUSANDS ON OTHER PRIVILEDGES AND PERKS. IT WILL BE AT LEAST FIVE TIMES THAT.
Being a MP is a profession. Their luxury life-style has to be kept up at any cost. It is the poor man who has to think how to put food on the table, and give some decent clothing to the family. Advisors are there by the dozen.