Holding Presidential and Parliamentary polls on same day impossible: Election Commission

13 April 2024 08:51 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, April 13 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of calls by some people for the conduct of both the Presidential and Parliamentary polls on the same day, the Election Commission says it is something impossible due to practical difficulties.

An official of the Commission said separate ballot papers should be printed for each electoral district as far as a parliamentary election is concerned whereas the same ballot paper is meant for all the districts in case of a Presidential election.

Also, he said the political parties form alliances differently at both elections.

“A political alliance that supports a Presidential candidate at such an election will part ways at a general election," the official said.

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Comments - 31

johan Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:07 AM

With one ballot paper President

Steve Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:36 AM

What nonsense. Give each voter two separate ballot papers and have two separate boxes.

DN Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:37 AM

Nothing is a valid reason . The main reason is during an election they can earn millions . They will loose that opportunity .

Jude Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:47 AM

All indications that there won't be any elections in October!!

Ruwan Saturday, 13 April 2024 12:55 PM

Who wants elections at this crucial time but the mediamen and jobless politicians. Even the ADB spoke of its dangers yesterday.

Jude Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:49 AM

Only NPP wants elections to be held in as scheduled for October!!! all other mainstream political parties don't want any Elections for another 2 years!!

johan Saturday, 13 April 2024 01:15 PM

How can corrupt and looters occupy the Govt. without people's mandate.Mandate became invalid after President and PM are chased away by the people,before two years.Can we work in an establishment without an appointment letter.Common sense??

Man Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:27 AM

@ John; Absolutely correct. The government don't want to have elections saying no money. But, they sent a naval ship to Gaza to fight and spent on starving children of Hamas ignoring our poor children. Local government elections did not allow to be held by not allowing money.

Jude Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:52 AM

There's a very good chance that Over 150 MP's NOT gonna get re-elected!!! It could be 180 or so yeah.

Bushel Saturday, 13 April 2024 09:57 AM

General public never asked for this. This is need by the power hungry and due to be ousted politicians. Comission should be firm and fare

Man Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:29 AM

Power greedy people hang on to power without any mandate though rejected by people. That's what matters

jude Saturday, 13 April 2024 10:01 AM

What they are saying - we are too lazy to make changes

Christo255 Saturday, 13 April 2024 10:31 AM

Typical Sri Lankan mentality. Always not possible without looking at how it can be done. The day our officials start thinking that everything is possible is the day this country will go forward and prosper

Armchair critics galore Saturday, 13 April 2024 12:33 PM

Suggest you go and advise them how it should be done.

MUSICAL CHAIRS WILL GET THEM NO SEAT IN GOVERNMENT. Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:05 PM

CHRISTO YOU ARE CORRECT, ALWAYS A BAG FULL OF EXCUSES. OH! MAJORITY OF POLITICIANS IN THEIR SECOND CHILDHOOD, THEY APPEAR TO LOVE PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS, SOME EVEN DO NOT GO AROUND BUT JUMP OVER JUST TO TRY AND GRAB A SEAT

Prof Marasinghe Saturday, 13 April 2024 10:35 AM

In some other counties, do this. Even for a large country like the US, all elections are held on one day. Same ballot paper has different options. You guys are trying to get paid overtime. Time to change laws and enable futuristic measures to cut costs. You can easily save Rs. 10 BILLION.

Sokrates Saturday, 13 April 2024 10:57 AM

It is far cheaper to print two different ballots and make two different types of ballot boxes than to hold elections on two different days.

Mahila Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:11 AM

Biggest problem is VOTER CONFUSION, resulting in INVALIDATION of VOTES!! That is tantamount to LOW voter Turn-out!!?? Valid votes are reduced!!! That's not acceptable terms in Democracies - good for Soviet Russia, Cuba and North Korea!!?? You'll be disenfranchising, sometimes millions by that process!!?? What use is voting, if you make it HARDER??? That’s counterproductive!!!???

Bandu Saturday, 13 April 2024 11:44 AM

Why should the Commission worry about “A political alliance that supports a Presidential candidate at such an election will part ways at a general election." That is a problem for the political parties. Stupid excuse.

Lk Saturday, 13 April 2024 12:28 PM

All our election commissioners are puppets of the president and they don't have buckhorn to speak out and to thier job professionally none of them speak for people and do what you ought to do and save the money at this time.. Have both save money and time .

sam Saturday, 13 April 2024 12:34 PM

It shows the poor management skills of the commission!

Nonsense is talking - Must have had a little Arrack Saturday, 13 April 2024 01:40 PM

You will save billions of rupees and less commissions will be paid out to you know who.

Athk69 Saturday, 13 April 2024 02:02 PM

Very simple. Use a tablet/touch screen solution at all polling stations that is linked to a centralised database. The benefits 1. No need for ballot papers/printing. 2. Solution can be reused 3. No rejected votes 4. The election results will be immediate - no time/resources spent on counting/transporting ballot boxes etc... 5. Voters will need to produce only NIC at polling centres- no other documents needed

Dr. Lalith Karunaratne Saturday, 13 April 2024 02:26 PM

Completely wipe out all old blocks over 50 years (all parties in the Parliament, and select especially young talents who could work honestly according to the Bible and other books.

wsw Saturday, 13 April 2024 03:05 PM

Typically lazy response as expected, from a government official. This could have saved billions of rupees rather than duplicate. Technically, I don't see why they cannot but perhaps there could be political ramifications for some folks with vested interests.

Man Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:33 AM

The staff needed to be increased which is a problem as it will be more than doubled along with other resources.

Dee Saturday, 13 April 2024 03:14 PM

Hold both and finish it off! A future NPP government will have no elections at all!

Mahila Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:14 AM

THEY'LL SAVE MONEY TO FEED COUNTRY, WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE "DRIES-UP"!!!??

Patcitz Sunday, 14 April 2024 01:08 AM

Ranil has no right to be a comman candidate as he left high and dry by the very people who placed no confidence in his leadership that evidenced in the last election, therefore, those who won at least member status at the parliament should be appointed as candidates to compete the Presidential election.

Mahila Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:23 AM

Athk69, "Very simple. Use a tablet/touch screen solution at all polling stations that is linked to a centralised database." GOOD FOR 'ELECTRONIC JILMART'!!?? Ask Weerasangili he will enlighten you!!??? Confident, post that explanation, you’ll be more circumspect!!!???

D Perera Sunday, 14 April 2024 07:54 AM

Anything is possible. Definitely this can be done. Held the parliamentary

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Holding Presidential and Parliamentary polls on same day impossible: Election Commission

Comments - 31

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