Proposal to increase bonds placed by candidates

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The National Elections Commission has prepared a proposal to increase the bonds placed by election candidates. The Commission’s legal director Nimal Punchihewa stated that this is being done with the intention of reducing the number of candidates contesting the election.

The new laws are set to require all candidates at the provincial and local elections to also place bonds of Rs. 5000.00 while independent candidates will be required to deposit Rs 7500.00. Punchihewa further elaborated that the existing law was made more than 30 years ago.