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Moves to credit local vote bank
By Laila Nasry
Laws for some 1.3 million Sri Lankans abroad to vote at elections have been proposed by the Human Rights Commission. The HRC recommendation is based on proposals submitted by the National Workers Congress and is in keeping with the International Convention on the Protection of the All Migrant Workers.

Labour Minister Mahinda Sama-rasinghe told The Sunday Times he had discussed the issue with the Prime Minister but no decision had been taken yet and he hoped to forward the report to the Independent Elections Commission.

Matters relating to the dispatching of postal kits, setting up of polling stations within Sri Lankan missions and the transportation of ballot papers by air under diplomatic cover have been proposed.

The HRC recommendation covers Presidential or general elections and national referenda. A special voting register will be maintained with the assistance of the Foreign Employment Bureau. The Elections Commissioner will be empowered to take a decision on the eligibility of such voters based on information given to him.

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