4 July 2020 12:00 am
By JAMILA HUSAIN
The three-member Election Commission is expected to submit a proposal to the health authorities calling for a 21-day period of quarantine at centers and at home from the current 14 days so that two PCR tests can be conducted before the August 5 general elections.
Election Chief Mahinda Deshapriya told Daily Mirror yesterday that following a discussion with the three EC members, the health authorities would be requested to conduct a PCR test on those under quarantine on the 10th and 20th day as a strict preventive measure against COVID-19 ahead of the elections.
As for those still under self-quarantine on August 5, the EC will at the meeting on July 6 decide if they can be allowed to cast their votes just prior to the closing of polling booths close or whether voting can be extended by a further 30 minutes to allow them to cast their votes or in the alternative will explore the possibility of setting up a special cubicle within the polling booths for them to cast their votes.
Special booths will be set up for those in quarantine centres, to cast their votes with the necessary safety measures in place.
“We are going to discuss all these options at the EC meeting with the health authorities. Our aim is to ensure there is no public transmission of COVID-19 because of the election,” Mr. Deshapriya said.