Rigging the result using computer technology almost impossible in Sri Lanka-Dr. Ruwan Weerasinghe
The computer expert who was involved in presenting the final results in the recently concluded presidential polls has categorically rejected the accusations that the count was rigged using the latest technology.
Dr. Ruwan Weerasinghe
Dr. Ruwan Weerasinghe, Director of the School of Computing, University of Colombo, told BBC Sandeshaya that the results were entered to the computer system after several verifications and cross checking.
"There were about 25,000 polling stations in Sri Lanka. The results from these centres are brought to about 880 counting centres," Dr. Weerasinghe said.
"Hand counted results from these centres are faxed to the commissioner of elections after the polling agents sign the results, the count is supervised and signed off by agents from political parties,” he added.
'Unbiased organisation'
The Director also said that the results are checked again before they are entered to the computer.
"We have a reputation of being an unbiased organisation,” he said.
He was responding to allegations by the main opposition that results of the election were manipulated using computer technology.
The School of Computing, University of Colombo was in charge of computerising the result of 26 January presidential elections.
Spokesman for main opposition candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka, Mangala Samaraweera, MP, has told media that it was the first time in the world that computer technology has been used to rig elections.
Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne, the candidate for the Left Front, echoed similar accusations.
"It was a computer conspiracy that involved senior officers and computer specials," he told journalists on Sunday.
But Dr. Weerasinghe says rigging the result of an election using computer technology, after such checks and balances, is almost impossible in Sri Lanka. - courtesy: Sandeshaya -
7 Comments
I would put my money on analyzing the statistical distribution of the votes. I didn’t look at all results in details but I do remember so many 6:4 or 7:3 distributions were found between MR and SF outside of North and East. It was kind of weird that almost same voting pattern was seen in local, regional and national level. It seems like an interesting project to some statisticians or programmers.
Since the vice chancellor had already requested the university fraternity to vote for the current incumbent, the involvement of such people in the electoral process is open to question. In computing terms, Garbage in Garbage out. Result can be fixed by entering wrong data or manipulating the programs.
And so was the Video on killings was a fake as per these
Sri Lankan Experts.
We are waiting Mr. Rajiv W s writings confirming the EC being unable to rig Computers! He is THE final word!!
What a disaster to Democracy in little Sri Lanka.
I have no reason to distrust Ruwan who is a respectable academic. In contrast, I am unable to trust politicos (including Mangala and Bahu). We can read the recent statement Ruvan has signed (rather protesting) about the VCs (including his own VC)public declaration of support to MR. He is independent as he can be in Sri Lanka.
If some fruad has happend, it is likely that it happend elsewhere and not at the School of Computing.
I think it is time that we look forward and make sure SL has a good and strong opposition including true representation from North and East who can get MR to do the right thing.
People should use preference (MANAPA) to get rid of all the thugs and criminals in all parties representing us in the parliament.
The independent examiner from Sri Lanka also said that the channel 4 video clip was faked.
But the reputed independent examiners from the globe found it was genuine.
Whole system is politicised, we can't believe anyone
While I do not trust the final result and since I believe that there is no smoke without a fire, I cannot distrust Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe's statement because this man is simply above board when it comes to work that he does.
But numbers could be manipulated anywhere. This is the simple reason that computerised prize drawing systems are not allowed, at least for the first three prizes.
I do not think H.E. the President would willingly give into a recount of the whole vote by an independent commission in full view of the General Public but if that could be done then all these rumours could be put to rest and also the future of SF could be relegated to the scrap heap of history.
Since there is a pattern, it is highly probable that the result was manipulated in the "Back Office" even before it came to the Computer.
I wish before our death, we could have a "Truth and Reconciliation" exercise to get to the bottom of this. Either way, it could be very interesting!
THANK YOU SIR