All the ballot boxes that will be transported to counting centres after end of polling time will be enclosed in transparent bags, sealed and secured with a lock in the upcoming Parliamentary Election held on Thursday, November 14 as practiced in the previous Presidential Election, the Election Commission (EC) announced in a statement yesterday (8).
The Election Commission made this announcement after some candidates and politicians had raised concerns about the security of Ballot boxes during the transportation from polling stations to counting centres after polling ends in order to address and clear their doubts.
During the process of sealing the ballot box after polling, the original copy out of six copies of the form which will be signed by randomly selected election staff members and polling agents will be affixed to the ballot box with one copy sent to the counting center and others handed over to the polling agents.
Elections Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake stated that the representatives of the candidates are also permitted to follow the vehicle transporting the ballot box from the polling station to the last Police checkpoint near the counting center.
However, due to practical constraints, it is not feasible for all candidates to follow each vehicle carrying ballot boxes and authorised representative of candidates must submit a detailed report to District Election offices three days prior to polling, specifying the name of the counting center where escort is required, the number of the vehicle to be used for the purpose and the name of the representative traveling in the vehicle.
A candidate may place their authorised counting agents on both sides of the road leading from the final checkpoint to the counting center premises if desired and Police officials on duty will be informed of such arrangements.
One counting agent of each candidate is permitted to be present in the counting hall from 3.30 pm onwards and the rest of the counting agents may also be present at the counting center premises from 3.30 pm onwards, the EC added.
