Prisoners to get voting rights?

• Stakeholders agree to find solutions for practical problems

Officials from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), the Election Commission, Department of Prisons, and election monitoring bodies have come together to address challenges related to prisoners’ right to vote, the HRCSL said in a statement.

During a meeting held yesterday, discussions centred on practical obstacles faced in enabling legally eligible prisoners to participate in the upcoming presidential election. Key challenges highlighted included logistical constraints, security concerns, and ensuring the transparency of the voting process within prison facilities.   

Despite these hurdles, all stakeholders present at the meeting recognized the vital importance of prisoners’ voting rights and unanimously agreed to collaboratively seek feasible solutions to the identified practical issues. The Election Commission officials assured the HRCSL of their commitment to implementing appropriate measures to safeguard prisoners’ right to vote, noting that initial steps have already been taken in this direction.   

As the primary oversight body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights, the HRCSL will closely monitor and coordinate with relevant stakeholders in efforts to uphold the democratic rights of prisoners, it added.   

- All stakeholders have agreed to collaborate on solutions for prisoners’ voting rights in the country, a statement said.