Voters will be barred from carrying their mobile phones to the polling booth during the upcoming Presidential election this week, the Election Commission said.

Election Commissioner R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that voters will only be permitted to carry their polling card, along with a valid identity card, and a pen, if necessary.

Rathnayake said that there will be no facilities for voters to keep their mobile devices out of the polling station, encouraging voters to leave mobile phones at home. “Everyone’s polling station is in their village, so they can leave their mobile phones at home, go to the polling station, cast their vote, and return home. If two or more people are going together, one can hold onto everyone’s mobile phones while the others cast their votes and come out,” he said.

He said that mobile phones have not been allowed inside polling centers during previous elections. However, following an incident where a ballot paper was photographed and shared on social media during the postal voting period, this rule will now be strictly enforced, the Election Commission official added.