Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Mawatha, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka. 10107
LOGO

FAQ: PARTIES

01.  What are the criteria considered by the Election Commission to consider an application of political party for recognition?

(i)   All the documents required to be submitted are in place.

(ii)  Major office bearers (including a female official) is present at the inquiry convened by the Election Commission.

(iii) Election Commission is satisfied that the party is a political party.

(iv)  Election Commission is satisfied that the party is capable of contesting elections under the Parliamentary Elections Act No 1 of 1981.

(v)   (a)   The party has been engaged in politics continuously at least for the last four years or

(b)   At least one out of two candidates fielded by the party has been successful at the Parliamentary Election held immediately before the date of making the application, or

(c)   The Commission is satisfied that at least three out of five candidates fielded by the party has been successful or the Provincial Councils election held immediately before the date of making the application.

02.  Will the application be rejected if the party fails to submit one out of all documents which are directed to be submitted?

Yes

03.  Can the party submit one out of all documents which have been directed to be submitted with the application, after the lapse of the last date of making application?

The party can make such late submission, but the application is rejected by this very reason

04.  How can a party submit an application again when its application for recognition is rejected by the Commission?

No application can be made for a period of one (1) year from the date of rejection by the Commission.

05.  What are the documents to be submitted by the recognized political parties and the norms that should be followed?

(i)   The constitution of the party, list of office bearers of the party and the political plan of work should be submitted to the Commission within a period of three months from the date of recognition as a political party.

(ii)  A copy of the statement of annual accounts should be submitted to the Commission.

(iii) When the constitution of the recognized political party is amended, such amendment should be submitted to the Commission within a period of 30 days with in a period from the date of amendment.

(iv)  When the office bearers of the party changed, such change should be informed to the Commission before the expiry of 30 days.

(v)   Every recognized political party should hold at least one general meeting for a year. Procedures of the general meeting should be specifically mentioned in the constitution.

(vi)  Names of the constituting parties and the names of officials of a coalition of two or more political parties should be informed to the Commission.

06.  When does the right to be treated as a recognized political party cease?

(i)  The recognized political party fails to act according to the provisions in the section 8 of the Parliamentary Elections Act No 1 of 1981.

(ii) The party does not field at least one candidate at two consecutive Parliamentary elections.