News
Drive to register people for voting
Civil rights groups have launched campaigns to encourage persons to register for voting with the registration process currently underway.
Electoral advocacy groups point out that many people, including those who live in apartment complexes, disabled individuals and domestic migrant workers had not submitted their details for the 2018 voter registration. Therefore, many had missed out on the right to exercise their franchise.
A Minuwangoda Grama Niladharini is seen distributing registration forms to households. Pic by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
“We have begun the process of preparing the new voter registration; we will use the one that is ready at the time nominations are presented,” Mahinda Deshapriya, Elections Commissioner told the Sunday Times.
He pointed out that every attempt is being made to get the public to register, however the new list may not be prepared by the time nominations are issued. In such an instance, the Elections Commission will have to use the 2018 list which is approved.
Several civil groups are conducting awareness programmes around the island to educate the public on the importance of voter registration.
“We are supporting the Elections Commission to educate voters on the importance and the process,” said Manjula Gajanayake, National Coordinator, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV).
“People who live in apartments, high-rise buildings and the disabled are not registered in adequate numbers.” He expects the 2019 list to increase by around 200,000 voters.
The registration process will also see nearly 14,000 Grama Niladari assist the Elections Commission to collect voter details and publish a list for corrections, prior to the final list being finalised. “Political party leaders need to get together and sort out this problem soon,” said Gajanayake.
Electoral advocacy group PAFFREL, in a statement, urged the public to register as early as possible. From June 1, any person (even squatters) can submit details for the voters list.
“The new list will be important, as it will be used for the upcoming presidential and general elections,” said Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director PAFFREL. Hettiarachchi was confident that the Elections Commission will be able to finalise the list prior to nominations being issued. PAFFREL is also engaged in several awareness campaigns.
Awareness workshops are to begin from June 3 and are to be held in the Badulla, Jaffna, Hambantota and Trincomalee Districts first.