Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake stated yesterday (May 04) that voters at the upcoming Local Government (LG) elections must mark only one cross (X) in the empty box next to the symbol of their chosen political party or independent group.

He emphasized that any writing, drawing, or additional markings outside the single cross in the designated box – such as names, lines, or other symbols – will result in the vote being rejected.

He also noted that separate ballot papers are being printed for each Local Government body for this election, and all assigned officials are required to report to their designated locations.

Meanwhile, Ratnayake stated that voters who have not yet received their official polling cards for the 2025 LG Elections can collect them from the relevant post offices or download them from the Election Commission’s website. He added that even without a polling card, voters can cast their vote by presenting a valid document of identification at their polling station.

The Election Commission Chairman said that all preparations have been made for the Local Government Election on Tuesday and after voting ends vote counting will take place at ward level, with most wards having one polling station and a few larger ones having multiple.

Voting will be held on Tuesday from 7.00am – 4.00 pm to elect members for 339 Local Government bodies across the country. A total of 17,156,338 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with 75,589 candidates contesting from various political parties and independent groups.