"Right to Vote amidst Disaster" guidelines and operational plan published

Colombo (News 1st) ; The Joint Election Emergencies Operation Unit (JEEOps) is to be reactivated and tasked with responsibilities of coordinating essential services and authorized organizations in election emergencies.

The recently published ‘Right to Vote Amidst Disasters’ guidelines and operational plan for the 2020 General Election prepared by the National Elections Commission and Disaster Manager Center along with the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management - Sri Lanka, notes JEEOps will be operational 24 hours from 3rd to 8th August 2020.

Essential composition of JEEOps will be representatives of ECoSL, DMC, Health, Tri-forces, Police, assigned ministries and technical organizations.

It goes on to note, District Election Emergencies Coordinating Office will function in all 25 Administrative Districts headed by 

the respective District Secretary with representatives from the Elections Commission and DMC.

The main objective of the guidelines and operational plan is to ensure that there are no disruptions to vote by the public due to disasters and to negate impediments for election officials in administrating their duties.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government is to provide adequate staff and r a. elated resources to District Secretariats to respond to contingencies.

The Ministry of Power and Energy is expected to ensure there is an uninterrupted power supply during elections.

The Petroleum sector is expected to instruct government and private fuel suppliers to have sufficient fuel stocks and manpower.

Further the telecommunications sector is expected to ensure all telecommunication a. service providers have emergency communication back-up plans, in the event of a disaster during the period of elections.

The Ministry of Mass Media is expected to prioritize dissemination of weather forecast and disaster warning through print and electronic media in liaison with JEEOps.

Similarly, all respective ministries, departments as well as all branches of the tri-forces have been instructed to be on alert as per the new guidelines.