Batticaloa Polls:

Polls campaign ends today

Rasika SOMARATHNA

BATTICALOA: Campaigning for the March 10 Batticaloa Local Polls will end by midnight today, 48 hours ahead.

All arrangements have been finalised for the Local Government Election, slated to take place on Monday after a lapse of 14 years.

Six political parties and 22 independent groups are in the fray, to seek power in nine local bodies, including the Batticaloa Municipal Council.

A total number of 831 candidates are in the fray out of which 101 would be elected.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Elections M. Krishnandalingam, all contesting parties have been informed to end their polls campaigns by midnight today in accordance with the election law.

DIG (Elections) H.M.D. Herath told the Daily News that Police had informed all parties to remove propaganda material by 9.00 p.m. today in accordance with the law.

He also added that in the case of relevant parties failing to adhere to the condition, Police would have to resort to force to remove the promotional material.

Speaking to the Daily News amidst last minute preparations Krishnandalingam said all systems were in place, to enable 270,473 voters to cast their vote without any hindrance.

According to him elaborate arrangements have been made for counting votes and other related matters with the first poll result expected to be released before midnight Monday.

A total of 285 polling stations have been set up in addition to special arrangements for displaced voters numbering 11,000. Twenty six counting centres too have been set up.

According to the Assistant Commissioner, 4,200 officers would be used on the polling day out of which 1,400 are to be deployed at the counting centres. DIG (Elections) Herath told the Daily News yesterday that Police along with the Security Forces had laid out a comprehensive security plan for polling day.

He also added that 6,425 officers would be deployed for duty on election day, out of which 1,800 officers are from outstations, in accordance with a request by several political parties.

According to the DIG additional road blocks have been set up in some identified hotspots, in addition to 24 hour mobile patrols.

Police along with Security Forces have also launched search operations in several areas to foil trouble shooters.

Five officers are to be deployed to provide security for every polling station. In some identified areas four officers along with a Sub Inspector are to be used according to instructions.

On the election day, police are to erect 12 road blocks each for all the counting centres in addition to special security arrangements to transport ballot boxes. According to authorities special transport arrangements have been laid with the assistance of both the Government and private sector on the election day.

The Batticaloa district consists of 12 local bodies out of which elections were held for three Pradeshiya Sabhas in 2006.

The elections slated to take place on March 10 is expected to complete the process by electing representatives to the rest including the Batticaloa Municipal Council.