Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-02-05 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Conducting Elections in 2024

- The Cabinet noted that the within the prevailing limited fiscal space of the Government, an amount of Rs.10 billion has been allocated in the Budget Estimates for the year 2024 to conduct elections and that the relevant expenditure pertaining to the Presidential Election and the General Election will have to be managed within the said allocation.

Further, the Cabinet observed that the required funds for conducting the Provincial Councils Election and the Local Government Election have to be provided through the Budget for the year 2025 within the available fiscal space of the Government. However, the Cabinet further noted that prior to conducting the said two elections in 2025, required amendments to the relevant laws, if found necessary, have to be introduced in Parliament, based on the recommendations to be submitted by the Commission of Inquiry appointed in terms of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, No.17 of 1948 (Chapter 393) and published in the Gazette Extraordinary Notification No.2354/06 dated 2023‑10‑16.

The Cabinet granted its concurrence to pursue required action based on the said facts presented by the the Hon. President.