Defeated candidates demand recount

Elections Dept. says no provisions:

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Several candidates defeated at the August 17 polls have urged the Department of Elections to conduct urgent recounts of the preferential votes they polled, top sources from the Department said. However, Deputy Election Commissioner (Legal and Investigation) M. M. Mohamed said the Elections Department was not equipped with the necessary powers to conduct a recount, despite the number of requests for a recount of preferences.

“During the counting sessions, candidates are given ample opportunities to request for recounting.

Many requests are made during counting itself,” he explained, adding that after completing the election process, the Department is unable to undertake any recounting.

According to Mohamed , at every election, such requests are made by defeated candidates and sometimes, even by successful candidates. “It is nothing new for the Department,” he said, adding that the law does not provide for such an exercise.