PAFFREL urges mechanism for people undergoing quarantine to vote

COLOMBO (News1st) : An election monitoring group has called for a mechanism that would allow those undergoing quarantine, and treatment at hospitals to vote at the parliamentary election. A proposal will be submitted to the National Election Commission to this effect, People's Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said. He said that PAFFREL has also requested the government to facilitate Sri Lankans living abroad to return to the country in order to vote at the election. Sri Lanka has shut down its airports for foreigners since March 18 amidst the Coronavirus but has gradually begun the repatriation of Sri Lankans. Meanwhile, a team of approximately 5000 observers are to be deployed to monitor the election, Hettiarachchi noted. The National Election Commission (NEC) has said it would decide on the date of the poll following a meeting on Monday.