Inessential to mark second, third preferences: PHU

26 August 2019 06:33 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) said today that there would be no necessity to mark second and third preferences at the presidential poll as cautioned by some NGOs.

Addressing a news briefing, PHU leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said the discussion of second and third preferences was opened up after the JVP decided to field its own presidential candidate.

“The JVP which supported the UNP candidate at the last two presidential elections decided to field its own candidate. The JVP decision to run its own will cost at least 700,000 votes for the UNP. Hence, pro-UNP election-monitoring NGOs have initiated a campaign to encourage people to mark their second and third preference. They say marking the second and third preferences is essential as no candidate would obtain more than 50% of the votes. This is a baseless statement,” he said.

Predicting what could happen at the presidential election in terms of results, MP Gammanpila said, “In the worst scenario, the SLPP is still at the 42% vote chunk received at the last local government elections held on February 2018. The UNP was at 29%. It will reach 31% after the addition of votes received by coalition partners contesting independently. If the SLPP musters 42% and the UNP garners 31%, the second and third preferences should also be counted. However, in Sri Lanka, as a practice, nobody marks their second and third preferences. Hence, there will be no additional votes to be added to the main candidates. Therefore, whoever with the highest number of votes will be declared as the president. Based on the local government election results, it will be Gotabaya Rajapaksa,” he said.

On a different note, he said the present UNP Government was the worst-performing in the history.

“You can arrive at this conclusion by listening to criticism of its own members such as Patali Champika Ranawaka, Sarath Fonseka, Rajitha Senaratne, Harin Fernando, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Ajith Perera. Hence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa will definitely win the presidential election with a comfortable majority,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 10

`Samson Monday, 26 August 2019 07:18 PM

Accordingly Gota has already won, when is he taking the oath?

MODA BURUWA Monday, 26 August 2019 08:32 PM

That is none of your business , The votesrs will decide whether to have a secound or third preference . Already started intimidating the voters ...

samson de silva Tuesday, 27 August 2019 08:14 AM

"Based on local Government election results, it will be Gotabaya" says, this idiot. So, why bother about holding Presidential elections.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 27 August 2019 09:20 AM

This is why you as a lawyer is only good for bailing out Kassippu dealers when caught. Other than that, you seem not to know the legal rights of a Citizen.

Sammy Tuesday, 27 August 2019 09:31 AM

This guy is nervous and scared.

AZ Tuesday, 27 August 2019 09:38 AM

Looks like you're already feeling a bit unsecure... just mind your own bloody business dumbo!!

Lord Wolfstein Tuesday, 27 August 2019 09:51 AM

It should be democratic, as in other countries. If in the first ballot none of the 3 or more candidates gets more than 50%, there must be a second ballot with the two winners from the first ballot.

CITIZEN Tuesday, 27 August 2019 10:06 AM

This fellow pretends knowing too much. But, actually he knows next to nothing. During the last constitutional crisis he came out with stupid and illogical interpretation of the constitution all of which eventually dissipated into the dustbin with the SC ruling!

Dr Aruna S Kondasinha Tuesday, 27 August 2019 11:14 AM

Let's hope it would not be like the USA Trump and Australia Morrison type election. Dr Aruna S Kondasinha

GAMANPILLAI Tuesday, 27 August 2019 04:20 PM

Cannot he be charged for mis-directing voters

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Inessential to mark second, third preferences: PHU

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