Hamper voting? EC, DMC brace for any disaster on polling day

With heavy inter-monsoonal rain beating the country, the election authorities have decided to work out extra plans along with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to conduct polling of the General Election next Wednesday without any impact from a possible disaster situation, an official said.

The DMC and the Election Commission held a meeting yesterday to discuss possible disaster mitigation measures for the conduct of the General Election.

Polling will take place on Wednesday throughout the country. Heavy rain is currently experienced these days in most parts of the country. Normally, the DMC, with the help of the security authorities keep ready boats and helicopters at every election to be used in the event of a disaster situation such as floods for the transportation of voters and ballot boxes.

However, they are particular about the current disturbances in weather.

An official of the Election Commission said districts such as Kalutara, Ratnapura, Matara and Galle had been identified as vulnerable to floods.

The DMC is expected to work out the detailed plan for the election day and announce it on Monday.