September 21, Colombo (LNW): As the Presidential Election 2024 approaches, Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has outlined the specific forms of identification required for eligible voters to cast their ballots.
A total of nine accepted forms of identification have been approved for use at polling stations on election day.
The accepted identification documents are as follows:
- National Identity Card (NIC)
- Valid Passport
- Valid Driving Licence
- Public Service Retirement Identity Card
- Elders’ Identity Card
- Identification Cards provided to clergy
- Official confirmation letter containing NIC information
- Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for disabled individuals
- Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for others
Saman Sri Ratnayake, the Commissioner General of Elections, elaborated on the correct procedure for marking votes. Voters may use the familiar ‘X’ mark to indicate their chosen candidate, which remains the standard for the commission.
Additionally, the Arabic numeral ‘1’ is also acceptable for marking the vote.
Mr. Ratnayake further explained that voters are entitled to indicate their preferences by marking their first, second, and third choices using the Arabic numerals ‘1’, ‘2’, and ‘3’.
However, any other form of marking will render the vote invalid. The second and third preferences are optional, but he encouraged voters to exercise this right if they wish to do so.
Moreover, he stressed that mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside polling stations to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
The Election Commission has taken additional measures to ensure the election is conducted in a smooth and orderly manner, with clear instructions for voters and polling officials alike.
With these guidelines in place, voters are reminded to carry their accepted ID and carefully follow the procedures for casting their vote, reinforcing the importance of transparency and fairness in the democratic process.
