No mobile polling booths for those under quarantine

Tuesday, 28 July 2020 01:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

EC says decision to facilitate mobile booths for those under quarantine to vote on 31 July scrapped
Says no legal framework to support such a facility

The mobile polling stations which were to be set up to facilitate voting for those currently in quarantine centres or under home quarantine will not be held on 31 July as previously scheduled, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

The decision has been taken at the meeting held at the Election Commission (EC) yesterday.

Deshapriya said that the decision not to have the mobile polling stations was taken due to the lack of a legal framework that facilitates advanced voting as well as due to logistical reasons.

He said that questions have been raised as to under what law people under quarantine are being allowed to vote when individuals in remand prisons are not given the same facility.

The Election Commission will seek legal advice on the matter.

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