Postal voting commenced today adhering to COVID-19 health instructions

The postal voting for August- 5 General Elections commenced today with thousands of healthcare employees across the country casting their votes while adhering to Covid-19 health guidelines.

In the Upcountry region, Public Health Inspectors (PHI), MidWives Medical Officers of Health (MOH) casted votes in their respective polling stations. Along with additional police security, election observers were also seen inside the polling station monitoring the process.

Accordingly, the Election Commission announced that public servants can cast their votes on July 14 and 15 while Police, Tri- Forces personnel can vote on July 16 and 17. Those who missed the voting on above dates can vote on July 20 and 21.

Meanwhile Health guidelines are yet to be gazetted in the next day or two, outlining detailed procedures to be followed by candidates, election officials and people during the campaign for the August 5 parliamentary elections, at polling booths and counting centres.
 
The guidelines, first sent to the Election Commission by Health Services Director General Dr Anil Jasinghe, have now been updated. This led to a slight delay in the guidelines being gazette, the Sunday Times learns.

(Pix & News by G.Kishanthan)