Before July 31:

70 % candidates declare assets

by Manjula Fernando

A record 70 per cent of candidates contesting the August 17 parliamentary elections had submitted their asset and liability declarations by Friday, July 31, the original deadline set by the Department of Elections.

Confirming this Additional Elections Commissioner M. M. Mohamed however, told the Sunday Observer, it was too early to give an accurate breakdown of who had declared their assets, as the data was still with the district returning officers.

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya last week extended the deadline for the declaration of assets by one week, with a new August 5 deadline, considering that July 31 was a Poya holiday.

The candidates who fail to comply with the rule, mandated by a circular issued in the 1990s, can be deprived of special IDs, which allow them access to polling booths and other facilities.

Mohammed said the Department has witnessed an improved effort by the candidates to comply with the regulation this time.

The elections authorities are hopeful that almost all candidates would submit their assets declarations before the August 5 deadline.

When asked which party had complied the most so far with regard to the assets declaration requirement, Mohamed said the breakdown according to political parties will be available only after August 5.