19% OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COULDN’T PROPERLY FILL POSTAL VOTE APPLICATIONS 13 500 APPLICATIONS WITHOUT SIGNATURES AND WRONG INFORMATION – 8379 DIDN’T EVEN SEND APPLICATIONS ON TIME
2013-09-13
How can those who can’t protect their own voting rights, protect others? – CaFFE inquires
Out of those who applied for postal votes, 26 232 applications (19%,) have been rejected. Thus one out of each five applications for postal voting has been rejected. CaFFE believes that this high number of rejections, among state officials who are the backbone of electoral process, is an indication of the complex nature of Sri Lankan election system.
499 applications were rejected as they did not have signatures while another 13 135 were rejected due to false information. It is almost unbelievable that such a number of state officials forgot to sign their applications. In addition if they are unable to properly note relatively simple details such as the name, address and electorate, it is questionable how those with lesser education levels can protect their voting rights.
Moreover CaFFE wonders how an official, who cannot protect his or her own voting right or does not seek assistance from a colleague who knows better, can protect the voting rights of millions of Sri Lankans as electoral managers.
Another 912 applications have been rejected as senior officials have not properly certified the applications of those who work under them. This has occured most in Kurunegala District (338 applications.) Out of 8139 rejected applications from the Central Province, 5334 (66%) is due to providing false information. Out of these most are from the Ministries of Education, Defence, State Administration and the Police.
However although their postal applications have been rejected a state official can vote at their respective polling station on September 21.
Media Unit – CaFFE
2013-09-13
How can those who can’t protect their own voting rights, protect others? – CaFFE inquires
Out of those who applied for postal votes, 26 232 applications (19%,) have been rejected. Thus one out of each five applications for postal voting has been rejected. CaFFE believes that this high number of rejections, among state officials who are the backbone of electoral process, is an indication of the complex nature of Sri Lankan election system.
499 applications were rejected as they did not have signatures while another 13 135 were rejected due to false information. It is almost unbelievable that such a number of state officials forgot to sign their applications. In addition if they are unable to properly note relatively simple details such as the name, address and electorate, it is questionable how those with lesser education levels can protect their voting rights.
Moreover CaFFE wonders how an official, who cannot protect his or her own voting right or does not seek assistance from a colleague who knows better, can protect the voting rights of millions of Sri Lankans as electoral managers.
Another 912 applications have been rejected as senior officials have not properly certified the applications of those who work under them. This has occured most in Kurunegala District (338 applications.) Out of 8139 rejected applications from the Central Province, 5334 (66%) is due to providing false information. Out of these most are from the Ministries of Education, Defence, State Administration and the Police.
However although their postal applications have been rejected a state official can vote at their respective polling station on September 21.
Media Unit – CaFFE
