INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Election Commission has issued guidelines on the proper procedure of marking ballots during the upcoming Local Government (LG)
Elections, scheduled to be held on May 06, 2025.Explaining the procedure to all voters eligible to cast ballots in the Local Authorities
Election, Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L
Ratnayake stated that each elector is entitled to one vote, meaning each elector will receive only one ballot paper.The ballot papers issued
and the identification number and symbols of Independent Groups
The name or numbers of candidates or wards will not appear on the ballot paper, the Election Commission Chairman noted.Furthermore, he
instructed all voters to cast their vote by only marking a cross (X) in the box provided to the right of the name and symbol of the party,
or the number and symbol of the independent group
The voters can only mark one cross in front of the political party or independent group which he/she wishes to cast their vote.The Election
Commission Chairman further emphasized that voters must refrain from entering, drawing, or writing any mark other than the cross (X) on the
ballot paper, as any other mark may be construed as an attempt to disclose the identity of the voter
He explained that such ballot papers will be considered as a rejected casting of vote.Meanwhile, the eligible voters for the 2025 LG
Elections are advised to carry one of ten accepted forms of identification to cast their vote.Accordingly, the following documents verifying
identify are acceptable:1
National Identity Card (NIC)2
Public Service Retirement ID5
Confirmation letter of NIC information8
Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for disabled persons9
Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for others10
Temporary driving license issued by the Department of Motor Traffic which carries a photograph of the individualThe absence of an official
polling card would not hinder the voters from exercising their right to vote, if they are able to provide necessary identification documents
upon arrival at the polling station.
