Strict health safety guidelines for polls campaign

Regulations promulgated under quarantine laws will apply along with election laws at the conduct of the upcoming parliamentary elections, a senior official said.

Accordingly the Election Commission will issue guidelines on campaigning and conducting rallies. These will include crowd restrictions, Elections Commissioner General

Saman Shri Ratnayake told the Sunday Times.

He said discussions were underway with the Police and health authorities on implementing the guidelines and regulations during the polls campaign. These guidelines including social distancing and crowd limitations would be issued to political parties and candidates.

He said that although there were no restrictions placed on crowds at election rallies under elections laws, the restrictions would be enforced under the regulations issued by the Director General of Health Services.

The EC official said Police would be directed to enforce the restrictions on rallies and campaigning.

He said the EC in addition was also drawing guidelines on all aspects covering postal voting, storing of ballot papers, preparation of the polling booths, dispatching of ballot boxes, accommodation for election officials and precautions to be taken on the day of elections.

Separate guidelines would be issued on counting of ballot papers.

EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya told the Sunday Times the guidelines would be made public next week.

“Currently we are discussing how the police will be implementing election laws under the COVID-19 situation," he said.