Election Commission Announces Opportunity to Replace Deceased Independent Presidential Candidate

COLOMBO (News 1st): The National Election Commission says that there is an opportunity to nominate another candidate in place of the deceased independent presidential candidate, Muhammad Ilyas, for the upcoming presidential election.

Chairman of the election commission, R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, said there is a possibility to nominate a new candidate by submitting the death certificate for Muhammad Ilyas to the commission. 

The nomination of a new candidate must be done within three days. 

Chairman, R.M.A.L Rathnayake further highlighted that, despite this change, the name and symbol of Muhammad Ilyas will remain on the ballot papers as they have already been printed.

Muhammad Ilyas, who was contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming presidential election, passed away on 22nd August 2024, at the age of 79, due to a heart failure. 

As a result, the number of candidates for the 2024 presidential election now stands at 38.