 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Sri Lankan Government said it would challenge the candidature of Sarath Fonseka, the main opposition nominee who could not vote as he was not a registered voter.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha on Tuesday said they would seek the court to disqualify him from the presidential race.
"We are seeking a court order on the suitability of this candidate because he is not eligible to be declared as a candidate," Bogollagama was quoted as saying by media.
In a hurriedly convened press conference, the ministers, however, expressed hope that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would win the polls, results of which are expected by Wednesday.
Responding to suggestions from ruling-party lawmakers that Fonseka could be disqualified, the country's independent elections commissioner said a candidate need not be a registered voter nor cast his vote in order to be eligible to run for office.
Dissanayaka said Fonseka would not face disqualification if he was duly elected.