The headline of the article stated that any votes cast for Mr Ilyas would be deemed invalid. Furthermore, the latter content of the article states that the name of the independent candidate would be removed from the ballot paper and election-related documents.

FactSeeker observed the website of the election commission as a tri-lingual press release had been published regarding the matter. When comparing the statement in three languages, it came to FactSeeker’s attention that the Sinhalese press release and the Tamil translation did not state that the late candidate’s name would be removed from the ballot paper.

As the press release dated August 17 carried the signature of the Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L. Rathnayake,
FactSeeker inquired from him. Mr. Rathnayake clarified that the English translation of the press release was wrong as it states that “the name of the deceased candidate will be removed from the ballot paper…”. Mr. Rathnayke assured that necessary action would be taken to issue a correction.

Accordingly, FactSeeker confirms that claims of the name of late presidential candidate Mohommad Ilyas being taken out of the ballot paper is misleading.