Presidential Election on November 16

The date for the Presidential elections has been set as the 16th of November, 2019, stated the Elections Commission Chairman.

Further, the nominations for the elections will be called from the 07th of October, 2019. 

Reportedly, the nomination applications can only be submitted between 9 am until 11 am on October 7.

The relevant Gazette notification will be issued tonight (18), stated the Elections Commission Chairman.

Meanwhile deposits for the Presidential Election 2019 will be accepted from tomorrow (19) until 12 noon on the 06th of October.

Election Commission officials have said there could be a record 18 candidates in this year’s election.

The main opposition Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has already nominated former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

United National Party (UNP) is yet to nominate its candidate, but is likely to be decided between deputy leader Sajith Premadasa and Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

Sluggish economic growth, national security, endemic corruption and deep ethnic and religious divisions in the South Asian nation will be key issues at the upcoming polls, political analysts say.