Election Commissioner refuses to register protesters’ party!

The Election Commission had pointed out to the Galle Face group of protesters that their newly formed party “Jana Aragalaye Purawesiyo” cannot be registered.

Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake had informed the protesters that under the Election Act No. 01 of 1981, there are legal provisions for the registration of parties, and that it is not possible to act outside of them.

Yesterday (18) afternoon, a group of people involved in the struggle went to the Election Commission to discuss the registration of that party.

There they met and discussed the matter with Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake.

A group of five people, including party secretary Chanaka Bandara, had met the Election Commissioner General.

There, they had submitted a letter to the Election Commissioner General requesting to register their party.

It is said that the group that came to the commission said that they are making a request to register this party in preparation for the future.

The Election Commission recently called for applications to register parties for this year, and that period has now ended.

The Election Commission had also rejected three applications submitted after the due date.

For this year, 76 parties have sent applications to the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, it is reported from internal sources of the Election Commissioner's Office that some other parties that are currently involved in the struggle are also on the list.