New ID measures for PC polls

Rasika SOMARATHNA

COLOMBO: Election authorities have tightened screws on election malpractices including alterations to the Identity Card issued to voters who do not possess a valid NIC to be used for voting at the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Council elections.

The special ID is to be issued to those who claim that they have lost their National ID or those who possess faded or unrecognisable identity cards.

The Assistant Elections Commissioner’s signature in the district, in addition to the Grama Niladharis and District Secretary is compulsory in the special ID.

A serial number is also to be issued for every new ID which would be forwarded to polling divisions on a proposal by the election monitoring group PAFFREL.

According to Deputy Elections Commissioner W.P. Sumanasiri, in addition to the above ID, voters could also use other identification papers claimed valid during earlier time.

However the special ID issued for the PC polls in the East has been excluded from the above list, Sumanasiri said.

Those in need of such an Identity Card have to apply for one through the Grama Niladhari of the area, sources said. PAFFREL said yesterday said that the Elections Commissioner had agreed to certain measures proposed by them including amendments to the special ID.

They also welcomed the move as a step forward in minimising malpractice and voter impersonation in future elections. Its Deputy Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told Daily News that it was PAFFREL which went before Court to get the nod for ID being compulsory for voting at the elections.

According to him, the proposed new ID which includes a photo of the applicant should be first signed by the Grama Niladhari, then counter signed by both the District Secretary and the Assistant Elections Commissioner.

It should also include a personal number which would be forwarded to the polling station of the applicant. In addition to the ID card, the Commissioner had also agreed to review matters pertaining to the SPO’s report regarding the conduct of the poll on the election day, Hettiarachchi said.

According to him, the Commissioner had agreed to consider independent election monitors’ report in addition to the SPO’s in the case of malpractice and subsequently regarding the possible annulment of the poll in the respective polling divisions.

He added that PAFFREL would continue discussions with both authorities and political parties regarding further strengthening of election laws to counter misdeeds.