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Party total will swell to 120, if 60 new parties get NEC nod
View(s):The number of registered political parties will rise to more than 120, if some 60 parties which have sought registration are approved by the National Election Commission.
NEC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya confirmed that more than 60 new parties had sought registration and the deadline for registration would end on Monday.
The flood of application comes amid concern that some people register their parties to sell the party name during election period.
During the last presidential election, it is said that some of the parties had demanded as much as Rs 10 million from candidates who wanted to use their party names and symbols.
Mr Deshapriya said the NEC did not have powers to restrict the number of parties seeking registration, but would hold interviews to decide on their eligibility to be registered as political parties.
Among the criteria which would be looked into would be the number of years they have been in politics and the membership.
Commission sources said the increase in the number of parties registering would add to the expenses of conducting elections, in addition to logistical problems.
As many as 35 candidates contested the last presidential election, leading to an increase in the expenses for the elections.