Vote counting at future polls in respective booths
Rasika SOMARATHNA
The counting of votes in future Sri Lankan elections is set to
undergo a major change, with authorities deciding to count the votes at
the respective polling booths itself, starting from the upcoming Western
Provincial Council polls, slated to be held on April 25.
The Commissioner of Elections at a recent media briefing said that
his Department would continue this practice at future elections as well,
depending on the success at WPC polls.
Accordingly, the counting of votes is expected to begin at 4.30 p.m
immediately after the voting ends at the polling booth, under the
supervision of the respective polling station head. The final result of
the polling booth is to be forwarded to the respective Returning
Officers at the end of the count.
In previous elections in Sri Lanka, the counting of votes only began
after transporting the sealed ballot boxes to the main counting centre.
As a result and due to some lengthy transportation routes, announcing of
the results of certain electorates too got delayed.
According to election authorities the new counting process is to be
done in the presence of political party representatives, monitoring
groups and nominated election officials.
Deputy Commissioner of Elections W.P.Sumanasiri said that they would
soon conduct a training program for all chosen polling booth heads,
regarding how to handle the new counting system.
According to analysts the new system is expected to enhance
transparency, minimise undue delays in announcing results, and save
expenditure also, allegations of attempts at rigging during
transportation of ballot boxes too would not arise.
Meanwhile, acknowledging that they were supportive of the move,
PAFFREL said that however they had a few things to iron out with
election authorities regarding the implementation of the new process.
Deputy Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi said that
they would meet the Commissioner of Elections shortly in order to
clarify certain measures taken during the new counting process.
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