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EC to request PHIs as monitors

16 Jul 2020

By Sarah Hannan The Election Commission (EC) is to issue an official letter requesting the services of the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) for the upcoming general election to monitor the adherence of health guidelines at polling stations and counting centres on 5 and 6 August, the PHI Union revealed. Speaking to The Morning, Public Health Inspectors’ Union Sri Lanka (PHIUSL) President Upul Rohana said that since the EC is requesting their services in an official capacity, even if the health guidelines do not get gazetted in time for the election, they will be able to carry out the duties required by the EC. “Traditionally, the PHIs do not take part in election-related work or monitoring-related work. However, due to the present health emergency, we have to step in to assist the EC to ensure that the public as well as all the stakeholders who are involved in upholding the election would adhere to the guidelines that are proposed to prevent Covid-19 from spreading in the community,” Rohana added. The EC is to issue the official request letter to the PHIs within a week’s time. In the meantime, the health service sector and the law enforcement authorities await the gazette of the health guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, to be able to enact the regulations and charge penalties if needed, or take legal action against those who do not adhere to the set guidelines. EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya on Tuesday (14) stated that the EC too is in a fix since the health guidelines are not gazetted and the potential risk that the virus is posing on the general populace is much graver this time. He also noted that the date of holding elections will not be changed anymore, and if there is a situation where the country will have to restrict the movement of the people, they have a plan B in place.  


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