Several candidates listed on the Local Government (LG) nomination lists are simultaneously entering the race for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections.
This development comes as the acceptance period for nominations for the 2024 Parliamentary Elections concluded on Friday (11).
During this window, a total of 147 political parties and 104 independent groups submitted their nominations for consideration.
The dual candidacies have sparked discussions among political observers, but the Election Commission (EC) has clarified that there is no legal barrier preventing candidates from contesting both elections.
Election Commission (EC) Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told The Sunday Morning that candidates appearing on LG nomination lists were permitted to contest the Parliamentary Elections.
“There is no stipulation anywhere that prevents them from contesting both,” he said.
Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Executive Director Manjula Gajanayake echoed the same view.
“Many of the LG election candidates who have already submitted their nominations are also listed in the Parliamentary Election nominations. Even though their names appear on the LG nomination list, they can contest the upcoming Parliamentary Elections. There is no legal barrier to this.”
He further explained that if a nominated candidate intended to cancel their LG nomination, they needed approval from Parliament.
“However, since Parliament has already been dissolved, they will have to wait until 21 November, the date of the first parliamentary session, to cancel the nomination,” he added.
However, Gajanayake pointed out that if a Member of Parliament (MP) wanted to contest the LG Elections, they needed to resign from Parliament.
“MPs need to resign from Parliament to contest the LG Elections. Candidates on the LG nomination lists who wish to contest Provincial Council or Parliamentary Elections don’t need to withdraw their submitted nomination.”
According to the EC, nominations for the Parliamentary Elections have been accepted at district secretariats across all 22 electoral districts.
The Parliamentary Elections are scheduled to be held on 14 November.