Sri Lanka’s preparations for the 2024 presidential election are moving forward, with the distribution of official ballot papers set to commence on September 3. Deputy Postmaster General Rajitha Ranasinghe has announced that this distribution will ensure that all 17,140,280 eligible voters receive their polling cards well in advance of the election day, scheduled for September 21.
A special distribution day has been planned for September 8, where postal workers will conduct a door-to-door delivery of ballot papers from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM. This effort, taking place on a public holiday, underscores the importance of ensuring that voters have their polling cards in hand. Ranasinghe has urged residents to remain at home on this day to facilitate the smooth delivery of their ballot papers.
The Election Commission has instructed that the door-to-door distribution of polling cards will end on September 14. After this deadline, the distribution will no longer be conducted door-to-door. Voters who do not receive their ballot papers by this date will still have the opportunity to collect them. They can visit their local post office, where they regularly receive their mail, during normal working hours. Voters will need to confirm their identity and provide a signature to collect their official ballot papers.
The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a highly contested event, with 39 candidates officially in the running. Among the registered voters, 1,148,258 are new voters, adding a significant number of first-time participants to the electorate.
This election is expected to be a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, with a large and diverse electorate set to decide the country’s future direction. The smooth and timely distribution of polling cards is seen as a critical component in ensuring that the election process is fair and accessible to all eligible voters.
