The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has emphasized the importance of candidates in the upcoming General Election appointing a dedicated individual to manage and maintain their financial records. According to PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, this measure is crucial to avoid issues similar to those faced by candidates in the last presidential election when submitting accurate income and expenditure reports.
Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), underscored the serious consequences for candidates who fail to submit proper expense reports. He warned that candidates could lose their political rights for three years through judicial action if they provide incomplete or false financial information.
Gajanayake further noted that such failures could also result in the candidate’s disqualification from office through a legal petition.
