News
EC bolsters measures to ensure smooth parliamentary poll amid weather concerns
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
With less than three weeks to go for the parliamentary elections, the Election Commission is taking extra measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls and they include increasing the number of counting centres and contingency action to deal with adverse weather conditions.
The Commission also has decided that the index finger (pointer) be marked with indelible ink in the upcoming general election, as the thumb and pinky fingers were already used for the Elpitiya and presidential elections, respectively, according to Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake.
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He told the Sunday Times that special consideration had been given to potential weather-related disasters that could occur on election day in November, a month that sees heavy rains. Initial arrangements have already been made with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to address any situation.
He said special facilities were being arranged to help voters with disabilities.
“We are confident of managing issues at voting centres, as election day will be held the day before Poya Day. If any issues arise, we are prepared to conduct the election using temporary huts set up along nearby roads if necessary,” Mr. Rathnayake said.
During the September presidential election, international and local observers said they were pleased to report that the process was largely peaceful and orderly, and this was a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s election history.
However, they expressed concern over accessibility issues that particularly affected persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly in polling stations. They noted that a majority of stations lacked adequate infrastructure or support to accommodate these vulnerable groups.
In response to these issues, Mr. Rathnayake said, ‘We are prioritising the measures to address the concerns, and we have instructed our deputy commissioners to take necessary actions to mitigate these issues as much as possible.”
He also stated the media as the ‘fourth estate’ should aim to inform and educate the public rather than simply provide content that caters to demand. He said he hoped that, even during this election, the media would focus on publishing news aimed at educating voters.
The Commissioner General said politics should not be discussed only during the election period; as political beings, people need to engage with and understand political issues every day.
“Promoting political literacy among the people is not our responsibility; it should be integrated into the education system and consistently addressed through the media,” he said.
Mr. Ratnayake said they had been advocating through parliamentary select committees that they be given judicial powers or the setting up of special election courts during election periods but with little success. He also asked candidates not to use publicly available air frequencies to criticise other parties or candidates but rather to utilise them in a constructive and valuable manner.
On the Elpitiya local council election held yesterday, he said it went smoothly, just like the presidential election, and “we urge voters and candidates to continue this culture in the upcoming general election as well.”
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