Colombo: Symbols ranging from deer, dog, parrot, snake to hammer and computer kite will be used by the candidates for the April 8 Parliamentary polls here as the Sri Lankan Election Commission has issued a special notification to register such signs.
The elections, nominations for which closed yesterday, will give the electorate a wide array of choice to choose from, as the Department of Elections gave its nod to the new symbols depicting animals, fruit and other items.
The symbols include rhinoceros, squirrel, parrot and snake besides fruits such as mango and jumbo fruit and vehicles including Jeep. Besides, they also include well, bed, tap torch, hammer, computer kite, postbox and a mason's implement as the election symbol this time around.
The 225-member Parliament of Sri Lanka comprises 196 elected members and 29 members from the National List (of Parties) quota. The Parliament is constituted by the system of proportional representation, which is based on the percentage of votes polled by individual parties and direct election.
Meanwhile, the State-owned Daily News reported today that almost all political parties in the race have introduced new faces to the election this time.
A number of nomination lists forwarded by recognised parties and independent groups to several districts were rejected by the retuning officers due to numerous reasons.
The ruling United People Freedom Alliance contestants have decided to take a pledge to commit themselves for free and fair elections.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 27, 2010, 15:57