JOIN USWhile an estimated 65 to 70 per cent voter turnout was reported, Fonseka had to return from the polling booth without casting his ballot in an election that is expected to have a close finish.
The 59-year old joint opposition candidate and former Army Chief said he was unable to vote as his name was not on the electoral list, prompting statements from the ruling party lawmakers that he could face disqualification.
He claimed the government was trying to mislead the public at the last minute by raising doubts over his candidacy.
"I want the people to know that I am fully qualified under article 31 of the constitution to contest for the Presidential Election," he said responding to questions over whether he could not exercise his franchise as he was a green card holder in the US.
Rajapaksa, 64, had called the election two years ahead of schedule apparently to cash in on the military victory over the LTTE, but an acrimonious campaign was witnessed between him and his former military chief Fonseka.
However, Elections Commissioner Dayananada Dissanayaka said that a candidate need not be a registered voter nor cast his vote in order to be eligible to run for office.