October 30, Colombo (LNW): State sector employees will begin postal voting for the 2024 Parliamentary Election today (30), the Election Commission (EC) announced. Police, staff of District Secretariat offices, Election Commission offices, and the office of the Inspector General of Police are scheduled to cast their postal votes today or on November 4. Meanwhile, members of the Tri-Forces and other government institutions are set to vote on November 1 or 4.
For government officials unable to vote on these designated days, additional opportunities to cast their ballots will be available on November 7 and 8 at their respective district election offices.
The Election Commission received 759,210 applications for postal voting, of which 738,050 were approved, reflecting an increase of 25,731 applications compared to the recent Presidential Election. A total of 8,821 candidates are contesting in the election, set for November 14.
In a change from previous elections, the EC has directed that voters’ index fingers on the left hand will be marked to indicate they have voted. This adjustment, as per Section 38(3)(b) of the Parliamentary Elections Act 1 of 1981, addresses potential issues arising from previous markings on the little and thumb fingers from the recent Presidential and Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Elections.
