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| - Counting the Postal Votes Has NOT Been Started!
Postal voting for the much-awaited presidential elections in 2024 commenced on September 04th. It will continue for several more days this week and next and end on September 12th.
Just as the postal voting commenced, social media circles were flooded with purported results, 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.
However, all these pots are fabricated, and as the election commission has clearly stated, the postal voting counting will only commence on the evening of September 21st, after the voting is concluded for the presidential election.
Social Media Posts
Social media posts claim that the number of votes received by various candidates in the Sri Lankan presidential election was available just hours after postal voting started.
We came across multiple such posts that separately claimed that President Ranil Wickremasinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and NPP leader Anura Kumara were in the lead at the end of the first day of postal voting.
Some ambiguous screenshots are also shared as postal voting counts.
Fact-Check:
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 reputable news organizations would typically disseminate any legitimate information regarding vote counts.
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 ballots, like all other votes, follows strict procedures to maintain the transparency and fairness of the election.
Below is a video on do's and don'ts related to postal voting.
As Sri Lanka's presidential election approaches, the spread of misleading posts on social media has intensified, creating confusion among the public. Fact-checkers are actively working to debunk these falsehoods and provide accurate information, but the rapid dissemination of misleading content remains a significant challenge in ensuring a well-informed electorate. It is crucial for voters to verify information from trusted sources to avoid being misled.
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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.
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