EC warns against interference at postal ballot marking centres

• Says interference or threats will result in polling at such centres being annulled
• Assures public officials of secrecy and freedom in marking ballot papers

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya warned yesterday that any attempts at interfering or threats at postal ballot marking centres will cause polling at such places to be annulled.

Deshapriya assured public officials who are entitled to postal voting that arrangements have been made to ensure secrecy and freedom in marking postal ballot papers and that it is not traceable as to whom he or she has marked her vote.

Postal voting will take place on 31 October and 1 November for all public officials who have applied for the facility, except those in the Police Department who will vote on 4 and 5 November. Those unable to vote on these days have been allocated an additional day on 7 November to cast their votes. Employees of the Election Commission can cast their postal votes on 7 November.

Meanwhile the EC said that it has received close to 1000 complaints since 8 October with regards to election law violations. There were eight incidents of election violence also reported