A final decision on the Ratnapura District candidate reported to be contesting from two political parties for the upcoming parliamentary election is still pending, as the matter had already been forwarded to the Election Commission (EC), Ratnapura District Election Office Deputy Commissioner Suranga Ambagahatenna said. He told The Sunday Morning that Ratnapura District UNP candidate Hasitha Mohandiram had objected during the objection period, but there were no legal provisions in the election laws to reject the nominations based on the fact that a candidate was contesting from two different political parties. “We have no powers to investigate into the matter since there are no related laws,” he added. Candidate Ven. Kolonne Siri Shantha Vijaya Thera has given a letter to the Ratnapura Election Office explaining that he is contesting from Jana Setha Peramuna (JSP) and not from Ape Jana Bala Party (AJBP), even though his name was mentioned under the two parties, according to Ambagahatenna. “The Thera visited the election office to obtain the candidate identity card, but we will not issue it until we get a decision from the Commission,” he added. The legal division of the Commission is now handling the issue, Ambagahatenna noted. Meanwhile, all attempts made by The Sunday Morning to contact EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya were futile. – Maheesha Mudugamuwa