32, 000 Security Forces Re-deployments in the East

(May 09, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) More than 32,000 security forces personnel, biggest ever deployment for a provincial election will be deployed for Saturday's Eastern Provincial Council election government officials said. The security contingent includes army, police, STF and Civil Defence Force members. Police have been ordered to shoot if there any riggings in polling booth as election monitors fear that the election would not be free and fair if the present situation continues.

Despite their fear only 70 election violations have been reported so far. Majority of them regarding the misuse of state properties and threatenings against the ruling party coalition which includes TMVP,the political arm of the LTTE's break away group led by Pilliyan his nom de guerre.

According to initial intelligence analysis UPFA-TMVP coalition have considerable edge in Batticaloa,but it has to face Muslim dominated support to UNP,the main opposition run for the election with SLMC, pioneer party for the ethnic minority Muslims in the east.

-Arrangement with the DefenceWire
- Sri Lanka Guardian