EC debunks EU recommendation on voter education

In reference to one of the key recommendations made in the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission on the Presidential Election, which highlighted that voter education on the use of preferential voting was insufficient, the Elections Commission (EC) stated that they did their best to educate voters on preferential voting.

 

The EU report highlighted that education on using the preferential voting system was insufficient, with limited public discussion on marking second and third preferences and how these choices might impact the election outcome. According to the report, candidates urged voters to mark only one preference, while the EC, civil society groups, and media offered minimal guidance on ranking up to three candidates.

 

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Chairman of the Elections Commission R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said, “We did our part in educating the public on how the preferential vote should be cast.

 

“We informed the masses via paper advertisements on the process of the casting preferential vote. Further, we informed the political parties to educate their voters on the process,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, the EU report pointed out that the law lacks provisions granting the EC powers to oversee campaign finance effectively. "The EC is not required to scrutinize campaign expenditure or donation reports or to work with the police or other institutions to verify their accuracy," the report read.

 

In response, the EC admitted that there are shortcoming with the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act as pointed out by the EU.