Not our business to ask for renunciation documents: EC Chairman

12 November 2019 08:25 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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It is none of the business of the Election Commission to inquire about candidates’ citizenship and as such the EC had not asked them to furnish any documents pertaining to their citizenship, EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said they had not asked any candidate to produce any documents pertaining to the renunciation of other countries’ citizenship and added they had no relevance to that.

“We do not examine any documents of renunciation of citizenship on the submission of nomination or prior to that, the Chairman said.

When asked whether he had informed any individual that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had not submitted any documents regarding the loss of US citizenship, the Chairman said he had not personally met anybody and discussed the matter.

“It is a matter that would either promote or demote any individual,” he added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 16

Dee Tuesday, 12 November 2019 08:23 AM

So a dual citizen can contest?

Andrew Silva Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:27 AM

What powers does this man have? According to his statement he is just a observing commissioner. Any person can do his job.

Kumara Dharmarathne Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:28 AM

EC's statement implies that even a non-citizen can contest for presidency.

Voter Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:32 AM

Whose responsibility to examine qualification and suitability of all candidates why not EC.

das Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:36 AM

Can someone contest in an event without first proving his eligibility?

Dr.Siri Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:36 AM

This guy is shaming

SHAME ON YOU EC Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:40 AM

Come on EC - do not beat about the bush . Say a "white man" eg Arthur C Clark (a dual citizen) had sent his nomination papers - I suppose your answer will be the same.

Dutch courage Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:43 AM

Possibly to prevent the white van (i nearly said white man ! ) doing the rounds on the street where he lives. How can this fellow be so dumb when every one in the county is talking about the eligibility of an "American Pura Vassio"

Hans perlee Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:52 AM

Do I can run for President also next time. Thank you

Dam Tuesday, 12 November 2019 10:02 AM

Don't you think that we need a total system change to stop these loopholes and similar ones in the system. These loopholes are all purposely done for these corrupt politicians benefit

Lord Wolfstein Tuesday, 12 November 2019 10:07 AM

Whose business is it to prevent people like Gota, who is still a US citizen and not eligible for presidency, from the election candidacy, if not yours? You are responsible for election violations and this is a extremely heavy violation.

Vera K Tuesday, 12 November 2019 10:24 AM

Dumb fool this EC is. If he can not verify the citizenship who is going todo it.

Voter Tuesday, 12 November 2019 08:51 PM

Why on earth is there a rule that a dual citizen is not eligible to contest an election if there is no one to check on the eligibility at the time nominations are accepted?

DillonDP Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:15 PM

Well i think EC should be of more intellectual... It was a known fact n if the EC had not checked the same he has failed in his duty he must go

Anoosh Wednesday, 13 November 2019 10:15 AM

Deshapriya is the one who is totally responsible for Gota's citizenship crisis. Now, he cannot make excuses. Court has to take immediate action on this or cancel the presidential election.

Rufus Norton Wednesday, 13 November 2019 10:33 AM

This guy is crazy. That means even Sharukh Khan can become the President of Sri Lanka.

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Not our business to ask for renunciation documents: EC Chairman

Comments - 16

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