• District Dep. & Asst. Comms. assessing officials/vehicles needed, obtaining details on polling stations

As per the Election Commission's (EC) directions, District Deputy and Assistant Election Commissioners have commenced preliminary tasks for the upcoming Presidential Election, including conducting censuses on the Government officials and vehicles needed for the Election, and gathering information about polling stations.

With the Presidential Election scheduled in a few months, many parties have directed their attention to the EC's preparations for the same.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that the District Deputy and Assistant Election Commissioners have already commenced preliminary work for the Presidential Election as per the EC's instructions. "During an election, Government officials and vehicles are utilised throughout the country. The District Deputy and Assistant Election Commissioners should conduct censuses on this and call for applications. We have instructed them to begin the work related to these surveys and the calling of applications. We have also directed them to obtain the relevant information regarding polling stations from the Grama Niladharis. The Deputy and Assistant Election Commissioners have commenced this work accordingly."

Last week, Rathnayake had sent a letter to several Government agencies including the Department of Government Printing, the Department of Police, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and several others, informing them to prepare for an election.

The Presidential Election is scheduled to be held between 17 September and 16 October of this year (2024). There are speculations and allegations that there is an attempt to extend the term of office of incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe by postponing the Presidential Election. The EC has however maintained that the Presidential Election would be held within due course, emphasising that there is no way for it to be avoided.