September 19, Colombo (LNW): The Lawyers’ Collective has issued a renewed appeal to voters, emphasising the importance of participating in the upcoming presidential election to uphold democratic governance, the rule of law, and judicial independence.
In their statement, they offered detailed guidance on the voting process and how votes are counted, aiming to clarify the electoral procedures for the electorate.
Voting Guidelines:
The Collective reminded voters that they have the right to vote for their preferred presidential candidate by marking either “X” or “1” next to their chosen candidate’s name.
However, if “X” is marked, voters cannot indicate second or third preferences.
Voters may also choose to mark second and third preferences for two other candidates using “2” and “3” on the ballot.
This option allows voters to express a broader range of support among multiple candidates if they so desire.
Vote Counting Explained:
The Collective explained the process for counting votes. A candidate can be declared the winner if they secure more than 50 per cent of the valid votes on the first count.
However, if no candidate achieves this majority, a second round of counting is initiated. In this round, only the top two candidates remain, and the second and third preferences marked on ballots of eliminated candidates are examined.
If a voter’s second preference is for one of the top two candidates, that vote is transferred accordingly.
If the second preference is for an already eliminated candidate, the third preference is then considered.
The candidate who garners the most votes in this final tally will be declared the winner.
The Collective highlighted the unique nature of this election, noting the presence of more than two prominent candidates for the first time.
They suggested that voters may consider marking not only their primary choice but also second and third preferences to ensure a comprehensive expression of their will.
However, they emphasised that marking these additional preferences is entirely optional and rests solely at the discretion of the voter.
