The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has advised candidates contesting the upcoming General Election to appoint financial managers to handle and maintain their election-related financial records.

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said that this measure would help prevent challenges similar to those faced during the last presidential election, when candidates struggled with submitting accurate income and expenditure reports.

Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), also warned of serious repercussions for candidates who fail to submit proper financial reports. “If a candidate fails to provide their expense records or submits false information, they risk losing their political rights for up to three years through a judicial process,” he said, adding that this could also lead to disqualification through a petition.