Election monitoring organizations have revealed that a significant portion of presidential candidates have entered the election with the intention of pursuing personal goals.
According to these organizations, 90% of the candidates expect to achieve personal gains by becoming presidential candidates.
These organizations highlighted that some candidates aim to obtain diplomatic positions, such as ambassadorships, gain high recognition during foreign trips, secure positions like governorships or chairmanships in corporations, build a public base for future elections, join established political parties and acquire positions within them, or gain exposure in mainstream media.
Election observers noted that 90% of the candidates are running in this presidential election primarily to promote another candidate by using airtime and gaining media publicity.
Mahinda Deshapriya, the former chairman of the Election Commission, stated that three candidates are clearly acting as proxies for the main contenders.
Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake mentioned that the Election Commission will have to bear an additional cost of nearly Rs 20 million for each additional candidate.
