As postal voting commenced today for the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka, certain social media posts began circulating, alleging that the number of votes received by various candidates had already been counted and shared. This claim has caused confusion among voters and raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Verification:
No Mainstream Media Coverage:
A thorough review of major Sri Lankan news outlets revealed that none of the mainstream media have reported any preliminary vote counts related to the postal voting process. This absence of coverage is significant, as any legitimate information regarding vote counts would typically be disseminated by reputable news organizations.
Official Statement from the Election Department:
Channa De Silva, a director at the Election Department, has clarified that vote counting for the presidential election will only begin on September 21, 2024. He further emphasized that there is no way to determine the number of votes each candidate has received before the official counting process starts. Therefore, any claims of vote counts circulating on social media are entirely unfounded.
Electoral Process Integrity:
The Sri Lankan electoral process is designed to ensure that votes are securely stored and not counted until the designated time. The counting of postal votes, like all other votes, follows strict procedures to maintain the transparency and fairness of the election.
Conclusion:
The social media posts claiming that the number of votes received by various candidates in the presidential election is available shortly after postal voting began are false. The Election Department has confirmed that vote counting will not start until September 21, and there is no mechanism in place to determine the vote count prior to this date. Voters should rely on official sources and credible news outlets for accurate information regarding the election process.
