EC to import plastic ballot boxes

The Election Commission has decided to import plastic ballot boxes to be used at the presidential elections because the stocks available are hardly sufficient for the upcoming election, EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya told Daily Mirror yesterday.

He said an order for plastic ballot boxes would be placed soon after it was decided on the number of boxes that would be required.

Mr. Deshapriya said more wooden ballot boxes would be manufactured locally and pointed out that the number of ballot boxes had to be increased based on the record number of candidates - 35 have entered the fray. He said the costs involved in conducting this election would increase in terms of the size of the ballot papers to accommodate all the names, the additional ballot boxes and other facilities to be accorded to the candidates.

The EC said to conduct this election would cost at least Rs.4,000 million. (Kelum Bandara)