2024 Presidential Election: EC announces locations and dates for marking postal votes

The Election Commission has announced

the locations reserved for marking postal votes in the upcoming presidential election.

According to the Election Commission, postal votes can be marked on September 4 at District Secretariats and the offices of the Election Commission.

On September 4 and 6, postal votes can be marked at Senior DIG and DIG Offices, SP and ASP Offices, Police Stations, Special Task Force (STF) Camps, Special Police Units, and VIP Security Divisions by uniformed staff and civil workers attached to those offices.

On September 5 and 6, postal votes can be marked in Tri-Forces camps and all other government institutions.

Additionally, September 11 and 12 have been allocated as additional dates for postal voters who were unable to cast their vote on the initial dates. These voters can mark their postal votes at the District Election Offices in the district where their workplace is located.

Proof of identity is mandatory for marking votes and can be provided through a National Identity Card, Valid Driving License, Valid Passport, or a Temporary Identity Card issued by the Election Commission.

However, the Election Commission advises that if someone comes to mark postal votes using the official ID card, the officer appointed by the Returning Officer to supervise the marking of postal votes will verify the identity of the voter. In such cases, certifying officers have been instructed that voters presenting the official ID card should not be allowed to mark the ballot paper.

Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Elections Asanga Karavita stated that nearly 54,000 police officers will be deployed for election duties.

The Presidential Election is scheduled to be held on September 21.