A mock ‘General Election’ was held in Ambalangoda yesterday with the participation of actual eligible voters to test the logistics, hygiene and other arrangements necessary for conducting the forthcoming General Election under the health guidelines stipulated by the Director General of Health Services.
There were facilities for hand washing and checking the temperature of voters and indelible ink was applied on voters’ fingers using a brush to eliminate physical contact.
All election staff wore gloves and voters and staff all wore facemasks.
There was a team of doctors, nurses and other health staff on site, in addition to the normal police team. Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya supervised every step of the poll. The exercise was successfully concluded according to election and health officials.
Meanwhile, the very first election meeting held in the island under the new health guidelines took place in the remote hamlet of Katukeliyawa, Thanthirimale, Anuradhapura, yesterday. All participants were provided with hand wash and sanitizer facilities and were seated according to social distancing norms. Facemasks were compulsory for attendance.
This was initiated by S.C. Muthukumarana, the SLPP Organiser for Horowpathana who said that all SLPP meetings in Anuradhapura will follow the same guidelines. He said it was the responsibility of all political parties and the public to cooperate fully with the health guidelines imposed by the Government to eradicate COVID-19 from our soil.
(Pictures by Wimal Karunathilaka and Anuradha Priyadarshana, Karandeniya Corr.)
Add new comment