“Peaceful Election In Batti”

(March 10, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka Guardian) Voters’ turnout for local government elections in Batticaloa with 35% voted by 12noon, no violence reported, sources in Batticaloa said.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has lodged a complaint with the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake alleging vote rigging including stuffing of ballot boxes in Vallachchenai during the ongoing polls.

Batticaloa Government Agent Suntharam Arumainayagam told the Media in today early morning, that all public servants deployed for election duties reported to their duties yesterday and all ballot boxes were transported to the respective polling stations.

“All arrangements are set to conduct the elections for the nine Local bodies at 285 polling stations,” Arumainayagam said. Around 4,200 Government officials have been deployed for election duties. The GA said a calm and conducive atmosphere prevails in Batticaloa for the conduct of the poll which will start from 7 a.m. and continue till 4 p.m.

According to the electoral registry, 270,471 voters are eligible to cast their votes to elect 101 Members to nine Local Bodies in the Batticaloa district including the Batticaloa Municipal Council, one of the country’s premier local bodies.

Nine political parties and 22 Independent groups have fielded 831 candidates for today’s election. Arumainayagam said arrangements have also been made to count ballots at 26 counting centres based at the Hindu College, Batticaloa.

“Counting of the postal votes will commence at 4.30 p.m. and the counting of other ballots by 7 p.m. after the transport of all ballot boxes to respective counting centres,” he added.

(Pics by Our Correspondent in Batticaloa)

- Sri Lanka Guardian