Special overnight security for ballot boxes

1 August 2020 01:02 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Ballot papers will be kept at counting centres overnight under tight security after voting ends on election day until the counting of votes begins the next day.

National Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya told the Daily Mirror that the sealed ballot boxes will reach the counting centres after voting ends and will be placed into another bigger box which will also be then sealed.

Deshapriya said the sealed boxes will be kept in the room at the counting centre and the room will be locked.

For over 10 hours no one will be allowed into the counting centre where the ballot boxes are placed until counting of the ballots begins the next day (August 6).

Deshapriya said that special security measures implemented at past elections will also be implemented together with new measures being introduced at the August 5 elections.

“No one can change the ballot box, open the box or do any changes. It cannot happen,” he said.

Deshapriya said that all political parties and independent groups contesting the election can send two agents each for each polling divisions to stay overnight.

He also said that uniformed and plain-clothed police officers in addition to officers of the Election Commission will also stay at the counting centres overnight.

Meanwhile, Deshapriya said that people in self quarantine will be given a special time to vote at the normal polling booths.

He said that since the original idea of mobile booths had been dropped the people in quarantine will be given time after 4 pm or 5pm to vote at the normal booths.

Deshapriya also insisted that all measures will be taken to ensure the polling booths are safe for voters and Covid free.

He urged the voters to ensure they exercise their right to vote and not stay away fearing they will contract the coronavirus. (Easwaran Rutnam)

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Comments - 11

Dee Saturday, 01 August 2020 01:37 PM

Military security!

Eichmann Bernhard Saturday, 01 August 2020 02:11 PM

Why did the corrupt party

Voter Saturday, 01 August 2020 02:39 PM

Ah, that is a good time to fill them!!!

Sokrates Saturday, 01 August 2020 03:19 PM

10 hours to cheat the voters will be more than enough.

Warren Raed Saturday, 01 August 2020 03:30 PM

For politicians, the ballot boxes and the votes are more important than human lives that they are providing over night security for them.

FF Saturday, 01 August 2020 06:23 PM

THERE IS SUSPICION WHY THE COUNTING IS NOT DONE ON THE SAME DAY OF THE ELECTIONS. COUNTING THE BALLOT SOON AFTER ELECTIONS HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. WE CANNOT DEPEND ON THE "TIGHT SECURITY"ARRANGEMENTS

Joshua Saturday, 01 August 2020 06:48 PM

But what about computer gilmaat ?

Ronnie Bugger Saturday, 01 August 2020 08:22 PM

Most probably it will be the men in uniform who will be watching the boxes overnight but who can trust a uniform these days ?

Rohan Saturday, 01 August 2020 09:05 PM

Mr. Deshapriya we trust you are a gentleman and not get bought over by the Rajapakse thugs. If for some unknown reason you get bribed, not only you but your generations after you will have to pay for the crime. Remember what goes around comes around, talk is cheap and action speaks louder than words and the world is watching.

Novote Saturday, 01 August 2020 09:23 PM

Not voting .. no confidence in the nominated politicians, parties or system - not afraid of covid19

Rachira Saturday, 01 August 2020 09:56 PM

Is Elelction commissioner a Trojan Horse.? Something doesn't smell right here

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Special overnight security for ballot boxes

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