News
EC ready to face any challenges in conducting polls
The Election Commission will introduce measures to meet COVID-19-related contingencies with the intention of conducting the August 5 poll, notwithstanding any challenges that may crop up, officials said.
The Election Commission has summoned District Secretaries to Colombo on July 26 to discuss aspects of the poll including potential health obstacles related to COVID-19. Even if there is a lockdown mandated in certain villages, alternative measures will be put in place to ensure voting takes place there.
“The Commission has decided that the election cannot be stopped for any reason,” one official said, requesting anonymity.
One of the concerns they face is the withdrawal of Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) from election duties. The PHIs have requested legal backing for their work, saying without such authority people objected to or ignored their instructions to comply with health guidelines.
While Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi on Friday night gazetted the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Elections) Regulations No 1 of 2020, it contained no reference to PHIs or their powers.
It outlined guidelines for the conduct of election meetings, door-to-door campaigns, election offices and polling stations and premises.
The Election Commission, which had wanted PHI participation in the poll, will now hold discussions with relevant authorities–including the Health Ministry–to fill the gap.
“Either way, there must be representatives on polling day, be they nurses or doctors or others, to handle matters related to the pandemic,” the official said.
In the event of a lockdown in one or many areas, a separate polling location will be organised with high security measures including personal protective gear and sanitisation to ensure affected voters to participate in the election. There are also plans to apply heat by a special method to the ballot papers after they are handed in by such voters.