Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake today accepted 22 nominations from the candidates for the 2010 Presidential poll.

Nomination of Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and 21 others were accepted while one nomination was rejected.

Candidates contesting the election are: Mahinda Rajapaksa (UPFA), Sarath Fonseka (NDF), Sirithunga Jayasooriya (United Socialist Front), M.B. Thaminimulla (Okkoma Vasiyo - Okkoma Rajavaru Sanvidhanaya), Sarath Manamendra (Nava Sihala Urumaya), Achala Asoka Suraweera (National Development Front), Anura Liyanage (Sri Lanka Labour Party), Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera (Jana Setha Front), Wickramabahu Karunaratne (Leftist Front), L.M. Ilyas (Independent), Wije Dias (Samajavadi Samanatha Pakshaya), Sarath Kongahage (United National Alternative Front), K.G.R.L. Perera (Our National Front), Mira Mohideen Mohamed Mustafa (Independent), Kanagalingam Sivajilingam (Independent), W.M.U.B. Wijekoon (Independent), M.C.M. Ismail (Democratic United National Front), Oswald Aruna de Zoysa (Ruhunu Janatha Party), Sanath Pinnaduwa (National Alliance), Adurage Seneratne Silva (Deshapremi Jathika Peramuna), C.J. Sugathsiri Gamage (United Democratic Front) and Mahiman Ranjith (Independent).