Sri Lanka’s committee has held a mock poll within the southern Galle district to check the COVID-19 health guidelines and its preparedness for the parliamentary polls likely to be held between late July and mid August.
The parliamentary polls were initially to be persisted April 25, but had to be postponed thanks to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which prompted the authorities to announce a nationwide lockdown from March 20.
Later, the committee shifted the date to June 20. it had been again deemed not suitable in sight of the raging COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed 11 lives and infected over 1,900 people within the island nation. A majority of the patients are cured and discharged from hospitals.
Some 200 voters from the Ambalangoda polling division in Galle district were chosen to ‘vote’ at the mock poll, consistent with a politician.
“We wanted to find out from the exercise in order that the teachings are often applied at the important election when it happens,” senior committee official Saman C Ratnayake told reporters at the Buddhist temple hall which was used for the mock poll.
The selected voters got instructions at their homes on Saturday and were asked to bring along a pen to mark the vote while wearing a mask.
The committee said that they had formulated guidelines to conduct the polls in close cooperation with the health authorities.
Election chief Mahinda Deshapriya said the rules were revolving around social distancing, washing hands and wearing face masks.
At the mock poll, attention was given to the time it takes to cast a vote while sticking to the health guidelines.
The poll date to elect a 225-member parliament is yet to be announced.
According to officials, it’s likely to be held anytime between late July and mid August.
