Election law violations:

Police to take stern action

Rafik Jalaldeen

Police warned that stern action will be taken against election law violators and requested the public to assist the Police and Security Forces to hold a free and fair election.

Over 68,000 police personnel have been deployed for election duties today, sources said.

Police Election Unit Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne said around 85,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order during the Presidential race, while 68,000 will be involved in election duty.

“Each polling station will be provided with two to three police personnel to monitor and guard the polling centre. In addition, Security Forces and the STF will be deployed to assist the police to carry out the election duties,” he added.

Police already has dispatched ballot boxes to 11,155 polling stations islandwide.

He said police will be involved in dispatching ballot boxes to the polling stations, providing security to the polling stations and counting centres.

The police will also carry out post election duties. Navaratne said police will take stern action against trouble makers and election law violators. “We request the public to cast their vote as early as possible and stay indoors after casting their votes.

They also should not to stay near polling booths or wander around during election day.” Police expect support from the Presidential candidates and their organizers to avoid violence on election day and conduct a free and fair election.

He noted that nearly 975 election related complaints have been received by the police. Five percent of them related to election violence. “Four persons were killed and 375 suspects were arrested. They will be prosecuted after investigations,” he added.