20.
| (1) If, at the expiry of the nomination period and after the rejection of any nomination paper, candidates of more than one recognized political party or independent group stand duly nominated for election, the returning officer shall forthwith allot
| | (a) to each recognized political party for the purpose of that election, the approved symbol of that party; and | | |
| | (b) in respect of each independent group, an approved symbol and where there is more than one independent group an approved symbol and a distinguishing number determined
| | | (i) in the first instance by agreement among the group leaders; or |
| (ii) in the absence of such agreement by lots cast or drawn in such manner as the returning officer may, in his absolute discretion, determine, and such symbol shall be printed on the ballot paper opposite
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| (2) The approved symbol of a recognized political party shall not, whether or not such party is contesting an election, be allotted under paragraph (b) of substitution (1) to any independent group. |
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| (3) After the allocation of symbols under subsection (1) the returning officer shall forthwith adjourn such election to enable a poll to be taken in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set out. |
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Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts