Eligible voters for the Presidential Election 2024 are required to carry one of nine accepted forms of identification to cast their vote.
Accordingly, the following documents verifying identify are acceptable:
1. National Identity Card (NIC)
2. Valid Passport
3. Valid Driving License
4. Public Service Retirement ID
5. Elders Identity Card
6. ID Cards provided to clergy
7. Confirmation letter of NIC information
8. Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for disabled persons
9. Temporary ID card issued by the Election Commission for others
The Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake explaining how the vote should be marked said: “If someone wants to use their vote, they can use the ‘X’ mark to cast their votes. Similar to previous elections, the ‘X’ mark will be accepted by the Election commission. In addition, the Arabic numeral ‘1’ is also valid for marking the vote”, he added.
Saman Sri Rathnayake further stated that for those wishing to indicate preferences, they can mark their first choice with the Arabic numeral ‘1’ and their second choice with the Arabic numeral ‘2’. To express all three preferences, voters must use Arabic numerals ‘1’, ‘2’, and ‘3’ and any other markings will be considered invalid, he said.
He further emphasized that mobile phones are prohibited inside polling stations.