Chairman Rathnayake Issues Strong Warning to Media on Election Results Compliance
In a stern reminder of the crucial need for media organizations to adhere to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka’s guidelines, Commission Chairman R. M. A. L. Rathnayake emphasized that non-compliance could result in a denial of official Presidential Poll results. Rathnayake stressed that while the Commission lacks legal recourse to penalize defiant media outlets directly, it does reserve the right to withhold official results from them.
Addressing concerns about enforcement, the Chairman outlined that initial breaches will be met with warnings. However, persistent violations could lead to a drastic measure: withholding the official election results from the offending media house. He clarified that results are typically disseminated through digital channels like email and WhatsApp. If a media outlet is cut off from these official updates, it will be unable to accurately reference the results as released by the Commission.
The Commission’s media guidelines, issued on July 26 this year, underscore the importance of responsible reporting in maintaining the integrity of the election process.
