Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said a record number of 35 candidates are officially in the Presidential race.

Although two objections were raised prior to the announcement of the Elections Commission Chairman, they were rejected allowing all candidates who handed over nominations this morning to run for the election.

Former President and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa too was present at the Elections Secretariat today in support of his brother, SLPP candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Although 41 candidates made cash deposits to run for the Presidential election, six of them pulled out of the race at the last moment.