FSP complains to EC about huge increase in deposits to contest polls

By Rathindra Kuruwita 

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) on Monday wrote to the Election Commission (EC) protesting against the latter’s decision to increase deposits that candidates have to place when contesting elections.

In his letter, Propaganda Secretary of the FSP Duminda Nagamuwa has said the decision at issue was taken by the Cabinet in keeping with a recommendation made by the EC.

“Now, a person contesting the presidential election from a registered party has to place 2.4 million rupees as a deposit, which cost Rs 50,000 previously. A person contesting the presidential election independently has to deposit Rs 3.1 million. Earlier, it was Rs 75,000.

Nagamuwa has said this increase restricts politics to a particular class. The deposits for local government, provincial council and parliamentary elections, too, have increased, he added.

The FSP Propaganda Secretary has also said that the purported aim of the EC’s move is to reduce dummy candidates. However, dummy candidates are often fielded by those with significant resources and they will easily pay the increased deposits.

“This will only affect the smaller but sincere political groups. We urge the EC to rethink this decision,” Nagamuwa has said.