The Election Commission has announced that individuals who are unable to travel to the polling station in the Local Authorities Election due to handicaps can apply for a special transport facility to help them in reaching the ballot station.According to the statement, anyone who can not travel to the polling station on foot, or by services offered by the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Sri Lanka Railways, or any public transportation due to physical disability, might use in writing to the Returning Officer of the District.The application can be made either by the individual or by another individual on their behalf (excluding a prospect) to ask for making use of a vehicle for transportation to the polling station.Application types for this facility can be obtained from the District Elections Office, Divisional Secretariat, Grama Niladhari Office in the area of the relevant Local Authority, or via the Election Commissions website, the declaration said.Under the law, the application should reach the Returning Officer (Local Authority) no later than 7 days before the date of the survey, i.e., before April 29, 2025.
If the Returning Officer is pleased with the application, an authorization will be released allowing the individual to utilize the unique transportation facility, stated Commissioner General of Election, Saman Sri Rathnayaka.To help the Returning Officers decision, candidates are encouraged to consist of a medical certificate from a Registered Medical Practitioner (Western or Indigenous), validating that they are not able to travel by foot or by public transport to the polling station, the declaration said.When a demand is made to a Government Medical Officer, Registered, or Assistant Medical Practitioner for examination and a Medical Certificate, the certificate ought to be issued totally free of charge.
If the certificate is provided by a Private Medical Practitioner (Western or Indigenous), it should include the practitioners name and registration number.If the specific holds a Temporary Disabled Identity Card, valid for 10 years, released by the Election Commission for persons with disabilities, a copy of this identity card, rather of a medical report, will be sufficient to confirm the handicap, it included.