Mock polls at 15 more areas

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The Elections Commission (EC) has decided to conduct mock polls at 15 more areas during the next few days to work out the logistics involved in conducting a general election under the pandemic situation in the country.

These mock elections, which will cover the entire country, are to be held today at Wellawaya in the Monaragala District, Dimbulgala in the Polonnaruwa District, Kalpitiya in the Puttalam District, Rattota in the Matale District, Akuressa in the Matara District, Negombo in the Gampaha District, Colombo North and Dematagoda in the Colombo District.   

Mock polls will be held tomorrow in Jaffna, Kurunegala, Ampara, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale in the Badulla District, Horowpothana in the Anuradhapura District and Kahatuduwa in the Colombo District while on Tuesday they would be held at Mullaitivu.

They will cover the rural, urban, estate and slum areas and among the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities.   
Additional Election Commissioner Rasika Peiris said the purpose of the mock elections was to see how best to conduct the election with the least inconvenience to all stakeholders.   

“Our main concern is to hold a free and fair election adhering to health and security guidelines issued by the health and security authorities. We will remain extra vigilant to avoid leaving room for any stakeholder to be infected as a result of taking part in the election,” he said.   

Mr. Peiris said during the mock elections the Commission would review the areas that need to be changed or improved.    

• Our main concern is to hold a free and fair election adhering to health  and security guidelines issued by the health and security authorities.  We will remain extra vigilant to avoid leaving room for any stakeholder  to be infected as a result of taking part in the election