Plastic ballot boxes likely to be imported due to large number of candidates : EC

The Election Commission (EC) today (Oct 8) said that it was likely that plastic ballot boxes would be imported for this year's Presidential election due to a large number of candidates.

Issuing a statement, EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said, the ballot paper, would measure 2.2 feet in height.

He pointed out that existing ballot boxes might have to be modified and that larger polling booths would have to be constructed during the election.

A total of 35 candidates would be contesting the presidential poll on November 16 - the highest ever in Sri Lankan history.

He pointed out that a higher number of candidates would also mean that the government will have to incur a cost of more than Rs 4 billion to conduct the poll.

The polls chief explained that these expenses would be utilised to obtain utility and telecommunication services, and also recruit more staff for counting activities and other election-related duties.

This year's poll is expected to see 70 representatives and 175 counting agents being present at counting centers as each candidate is allowed to field two representatives, and five counting agents each.