(UTV|COLOMBO) – The National Election Commission requests voters to be vigilant when casting the ballot on the 16th of November.
Chairman of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya says citizens will not be given a substitute ballot paper in the event where a mistake was made by voters while marking the ballot.
He explained that all voters must firstly decide on the candidate or candidates they intend to cast their ballot for, then identify the name and symbol of the candidate they intend to vote for.
Following which Deshapriya noted voters can cast their votes by either using the cross opposite the party symbol or by marking number 1, adding if someone wants to mark preferential votes, then they should mark 1, 2 and 3, opposite the symbols according to the order of preference.
He stressed the presiding officer has no power to issue a substitute ballot paper even if the voter has erroneously marked his or her ballot and informs the presiding officer about this mistake.
Therefore the Chairman said voters should simply be vigilant when marking their ballot paper.
Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya also detailed where the presiding officer can issue a replacement ballot paper.
He stated the senior presiding officer can issue replacement ballot papers only under certain circumstances; namely if the ink applied on voters’ fingers to validate their presence had mistakenly damaged or discolored the ballot paper, or if it tears and become unusable, then a replacement paper will be issued.
However, he reiterated that if a voter marks their ballot paper incorrectly, they will not receive a replacement again urging voters to be cautious.
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