Political parties and election monitoring groups are reported to be taking steps to ensure that voters obtain necessary identity documents to be eligible to cast their votes at the next elections.
A recent Elections Department circular reiterated the need for voters to prove their identity by producing a valid identity document to obtain a ballot paper at future elections.
Local election watchdog, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has already launched a programme in several areas aimed at educating the voters and helping them obtain the necessary documents. “Programmes are being conducted in Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota and Matara at present. We plan to continue with similar programmes in other parts of the country as well,” PAFFREL chairman Kingsley Rodrigo said. Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Spokesperson Keerthi Tennekoon said a project would be launched in December in selected divisional secretariat areas for the benefit of the public.
“A pilot project is being conducted in areas in Badulla, Matale and Nuwara Eliya. Projects would also be launched in Passara, Lunugala and Thotugala,” he said.
Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Vice President R. Yogarajan said that a programme is already underway in estates all over the country to help raise awareness among the people. | 
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