Live results: https://election.newswire.lk
The Election Commission has outlined the process for counting votes in the general election that was held today.
Election Commission Chairman R.M.L. Rathnayake, addressing a media briefing, stated that the counting of postal votes began at 4:15 p.m. today.
The counting of regular votes is expected to start around 7:15 p.m., depending on when ballot boxes arrive at counting centres, he noted.
The vote-counting process will proceed as follows:
– Ballots in each box will be counted first.
– Votes for each political party or independent group will then be tallied to determine the number of parliamentary seats allocated to each.
– Preferential votes for individual candidates will then be counted, with candidates securing the highest number of votes in their respective parties or groups elected to Parliament.
The results from each voting area and district will be announced only after they have been reviewed and approved by the Election Secretariat, Rathnayake added.
The election commission chairman also urged voters to avoid congregating near counting centres or on nearby roads during the counting process.
“We urge the public especially not to be present around counting centres or on the road for whatever reason,” Rathnayake said.
The Election Commission expects to release the first postal vote results before midnight. (Islandnews)
