Election Commission refutes claims of flexible polling stations

The Election Commission has firmly denied recent media reports claiming that voters will be allowed to cast their ballots at any polling station during the upcoming Presidential election.

In a statement issued today, the Commission confirmed that voters must vote at their designated polling stations as specified in the Electoral Register. Each voter will receive a notification by post with details of their assigned polling station, including their name, address, and the time for voting.

This clarification follows a previous announcement based on a new gazette notification, which introduced a special procedure for voters who might face difficulties voting at their assigned stations. This measure, established under Section 119B of the Presidential Elections Act, aims to ensure that all eligible voters can participate despite potential local threats.

The notification permits voters who reasonably fear they cannot vote at their designated polling station due to current conditions to apply for an alternative voting location. However, the deadline for applying for this change was August 1, 2024. Applications submitted after this date will not be processed.