The Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka R.M.A.L.
Rathnayake specifies that the 2024 General Election will be held on 14 November 2024 as scheduled, as the petition challenging the election date was dismissed by the Supreme Court without taking into consideration.Furthermore, Rathnayake discussed that 60 ballot stations which were slated to be developed at Buddhist Temples were moved to other areas, owing to Katina Pinkama ceremonies and numerous other reasons.Commenting regarding the matter, the Election Commission Chairman said that several parties had actually raised issues on holding the election utilizing Buddhist Temples as polling stations throughout the period when Katina Pinkama events are being held.As a result, Rathnayake stated that the election regulative body asked regarding the matter from the chief prelates of each Buddhist Temple to be utilized as ballot stations.
He stated that out of 2,263 Buddhist temples slated to be utilized as polling stations across the island, 45 temples revealed issues regarding holding the Katina Pinkama ceremonies and 15 other temples due to miscellaneous reasons.Accordingly, the 60 polling stations in concern were shifted to other locations, according to the Election Commission Chairman.Meanwhile, he also highlighted that the distribution of main ballot cards will be performed up until 07 November 2024.