Presidential Election 2024: Voting Procedure Outlined

Presidential Election 2024: Voting Procedure Outlined- As Sri Lanka gears up for the upcoming Presidential Election scheduled for September 21, 2024, the Election Commission has announced the official voting procedure. With more than three candidates contesting the election, voters will have the opportunity to mark their preferences for multiple candidates on the ballot paper.

Voters are required to place the number “1” in the box next to the name and symbol of their preferred candidate. They can also indicate their second and third preferences by marking “2” and “3” for other candidates if they wish. However, it is not mandatory to mark second or third preferences, and a ballot will still be valid if only the first preference is marked.

The Commission has clarified the valid methods of marking the ballot, showing sample images where voters have correctly indicated their preferences. Any clear indication of voter intention, such as marking an “X,” will still be counted for the candidate selected.

To ensure a fair and transparent voting process, the Commission has listed several scenarios that will lead to the rejection of a ballot. These include:

• Not marking any vote for any candidate.
• Marking a vote for more than one candidate.
• Marking “1” for one candidate and “X” for another.
• Indicating second or third preferences without marking a first preference.
• Making any writing or marks that could identify the voter.
• Using marks other than “1” for second and third preferences.
• Marking more votes than the allowed preferences (1, 2, 3).