The Election Commission is set to review the government’s proposed salary increase and cost of living allowance for public servants to assess whether it could influence voting, especially postal voting in the upcoming presidential election, an official announced yesterday.
Udaya Seneviratna, Chairman of the Expert Committee on Public Service Salary Disparities, revealed that the Cabinet has approved a basic salary increase for all public servants starting January 2025. The raise will range from 24 percent for lower grades to between 24 and 35 percent for higher positions, depending on qualifications, experience, and current roles. Additionally, the cost of living allowance is set to rise to Rs. 25,000.
Election Commission Chairman R. M. L. A. Rathnayake stated that his office will investigate whether these changes could be seen as inducements for voting.
“We will not halt every government action. However, if it appears to affect the presidential election, we will intervene and provide guidance accordingly,” Rathnayake said.
According to the Election Commission, 712,321 individuals have qualified for postal voting in the 2024 Presidential Election.
