ID decision no bar to voters

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: The Elections Commissioner yesterday assured that no one will be deprived of their franchise at Thursday's poll, despite the decision to insist on identification papers.

"We will ensure the rights of all registered voters. No one will be turned away," Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake told a media conference yesterday.

The Elections Secretariat agreed to make identification mandatory for the 2006 mini poll, after PAFFREL went to courts seeking the 2004 Act proposing national IDs compulsory for voting be made effective from this year.

In addition to the national ID the voters can produce any form of valid photo ID, including a rail pass, pension pass, estate ID, IDs issued to farmers and fishermen and company IDs to prove their identity at the polling station.

Arrangements have also been made to issue a certified photo by a grama niladari or the estate superintendent for those who seek this service.

Failing this, the Commissioner said the voters still have the right to cast their ballot if they produce their polling card to the election officer.

Those without it can fill in a special declaration paper at the polling centre.

They will also be required to place their fingerprint on the polling card or the declaration form.