Trail elections to be conducted in selected areas

COLOMBO (News 1st): A number of trial elections (based on health guidelines) will take place next weekend centering around 12 Districts, the National Elections Commission said. The trail elections will be conducted in selected areas in the Colombo, Kalutara, Jaffna, Mullthivu, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Badulla, Monaragala, Batticaloa and Kurunegala districts, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake stated. The primary objective is to identify issues that would arise when carrying out election-related procedures while following prescribed health guidelines, the Commissioner-General further added. Prescribed health guidelines in polling centers include maintaining social distancing, wearing face masks, and using disinfectants. Previously a similar trail election was held in Ambalangoda on the 07th of June for the same purpose. The preferential numbers of candidates for the General election will be issued today, the National Elections Commission said during a media briefing yesterday. The new date for the elections will be informed before the 12th of June, speaking at the Media briefing, Chairman of the National Elections Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya added.