High turnout forecast for today’s poll

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

It is all systems go for today’s Batticaloa Local Government Elections with a hundred per cent turnout by election staff reported together with a smooth transport of ballot boxes to respective polling stations by 2 p.m. yesterday.

Batticaloa Government Agent Suntharam Arumainayagam told the Daily News 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.

DIG (Elections) H.M.D. Herath told the Daily News no elections related incidents were reported from the area within last two days.

“This is a clear sign that the elections will be conducted smoothly and we are prepared to provide maximum security for the conduct of a smooth poll. We will leave no room for whatever element to sabotage the elections,” he said.

“We expect a high turnout at the elections since there is great enthusiasm on the part of the public to cast their vote,” the DIG said.

According to him 6,425 Policemen have been deployed for election duties. Mobile patrolling units and a large number of road blocks have been set up to strengthen security in the district in view of the local polls.