By The Presidents media division recently said that the Presidential election and Parliamentary election will be held on time.
How ever the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies Manjula Gajanayake has made a important point.
As he points out the Cabinet has decided to reduce the funds allocation for the presidential and general elections by 50%. Manjula Gajanayake has drawn attention to a recent government announce ment. “The Cabinet-of-Ministers considered that an allocation of Rs 10 billion has been made by the Budget estimate for the year 2024…. for covering the expenditure of the presidential election and general election.” As Gajanayaka points out the underlying truth is that both elections will have to be conducted with Rs. 10 billion whereas the Election Commission has asked for Rs. 10 billion for the presidential election and Rs. 11 billion for the parliamentary polls and submitted two separate estimates to the Treasury.
Does this mean that elections will not be held on time using lack of funds as an excuse.
Recently the media questioned from the former President Mahainda Rajapaksha about the possibility of postponing the election.
Jokingly he said knowing Ranil Wuckramasina postponing election could not be ruled out.
