All systems ready for Elpitiya PS elections on October 11th

Colombo(News 1st) - While the entire country is focused on the presidential election, preparation activities are currently taking place for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Election. Accepting applications from Government Employees for postal voting for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Elections ended at midnight yesterday(September 14). Deputy Commissioner of the Galle district, K.U.Chandra Lal stated that the National Elections Commission had received approximately 1300 applications for postal voting for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Elections. The deputy commissioner speaking to News 1st stated that the ballot cards will be distributed from September 21st while the commission has decided to conduct postal voting on September 27th. The Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha elections are due to be held on the 11th of next month. Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya recently stated that the National Elections Commission will be entitled to call for nominations for the presidential election starting from tomorrow (September 15). Chairman of National Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya stated that nominations can be called for on September 15th, which is also the international day of democracy. However, he added that since September 15th falls on a Sunday, they would actually be entitled to call for nominees only on September 16th. He further explained that it does not mean they would issue the notice on the 16th itself adding that the final date to issue the indicated notice is on October 15th. He stated that the National Election Commission would issue the elections inquiry notice for the presidential election on any day between September 16th and October 15th. Meanwhile, the National Elections Commission is due to meet on the 20th of this month at 10.30 am. The NEC stated that the commission will convene to take several important decisions regarding the presidential election. All district secretaries, assistant and deputy election commissioners have been summoned for this meeting and will be informed regarding the upcoming presidential election. In addition, all secretaries of political parties representing the parliament, and all secretaries of political parties that have submitted their nominees for the presidential election to the NEC, have been summoned to the NEC on the 17th of this month. Meanwhile, a program is currently taking place to monitor Facebook, during the election season. Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi mentioned that they have discussed the matter with the National Election Commission as well as representatives of Facebook who are currently in Sri Lanka. He added that sharing of content through social media websites, which includes hate speech and racism, or any content that can cause harm or damage to politicians or their parties should be controlled during the election season. He added that they have informed the National Election Commission regarding it, and the commission has already appointed a centralized team led by a deputy commissioner to monitor it. "Following an analysis, this group will submit their results to Facebook representatives. At that point, they will either block or remove pages that contain inappropriate content from the social website", he added.