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Brief Profiles of Countries, EMBs and Partner Organisations of A-WEB
(C) ELECTION CALENDAR with the voter along with another officer, inquires
from the voter and marks the vote according to
1. Last Elections Dates will of the voter in front of the other officer, as has
17 August 2015 been done at previous elections, though there is no
mention in the Act, of such situation.
2. Future Election Calendar
31 December 2020 2. STUDENTS’ PARLIAMENT
3. Are there any fixed election days/dates
Yes
4. Compulsory Voting
No
5. Election Logo & Slogan
The Election Commission observed that it was a
need of the day to educate the students learning
in secondary schools about democracy and uni-
versal franchise. This was included as a program
PArt iv in the Four Year Strategic Plan 2017/2020 of the
Commission and steps were taken to create “Civic
sUPPLEMENtArY Education Circles” in secondary schools with the
iNforMAtioN assistance of the Ministry of Education. This sub-
ject was discussed at a meeting held in July 2016
at the Ministry of Education with Secretary of the
1. SPECIAL VOTERS (WITH DISABILITIES AND Ministry and other senior officials of the Ministry.
SPECIAL NEEDS) At the meeting the Commission agreed to contrib-
Senior Presiding Officer or any other officer on ute towards the Students’ Parliament implement-
his behalf, will explain only the manner of voting ed island wide under the guidance of the Ministry
to those voters who could see but do not know Education in place of the Civic Education Circles,
how to mark a ballot paper. The voters who cannot because the circular issued by the Ministry of Ed-
mark the paper with his/ her hand due to blindness ucation has clearly included democracy, its im-
or physical disability are allowed to accompany a portance, franchise, importance of exercising the
person to the polling station. These voters should franchise and the Commission found that student
bring a letter issued by the Grama Niladhari and could be educated through this instrument.
certified by Government Medical Officer. After duly
establishing the identity of the voter, the assisting As an initial step a pilot project was implemented
person of the voter can mark the vote at the cubicle to educate students on democracy and universal
in front of the Senior Presiding Officer and another franchise in selected schools in Kandy and Ampa-
member of the poll staff. When a visually impaired ra districts.
voter is not accompanied with an assisting person
the Senior Presiding Officer will go to the cubicle
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