2nd Lead (Adds photos)

Cushnahan visits Trincomalee, observes polling arrangement

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 November 2005, 17:02 GMT]
Mr.John Cushnahan, Head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) to Sri Lanka Tuesday visited Trincomalee and held discussions with election officials and representatives of the two main political parties contesting the presidential poll. Two long-term observers stationed in the east port town participated in the discussion with Mr.Cushnahan.



Later in the afternoon Mr.Cushnahan briefed the media persons at the Trincomalee Hotel Club Oceanic.

He said he met with the Additional Government Mr.G.Amaratunge, Assistant Election Commissioner Mr.Bandara Mapa, Mr.Nimal Gamini, District organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP) and Ms Ariyawathie Galapathy, District Organizer of the United National Party (UNP).

Mr.Cushnahan in reply to a question stated that cluster polling booths for the voters in the LTTE held areas in the Trincomalee district will be established in a neutral zone as in the last year general election. He added that the reports that such polling booths will be placed inside the army camp area are incorrect and misleading, according to Mr.Bandara Mapa, Assistant Commissioner of Elections.

"We hope every voter will be allowed to exercise his/her franchise without fear, intimidation and bureaucratic obstruction in the forthcoming presidential poll," said Mr.Cushnahan.

Mr.Cushnahan said four short-term observers of the EU-EOM will arrive in Trincomalee during the weekend to assist the two long- term observers already in the east port town on the polling day.

Mr.Cushnahan said he will be in Jaffna Friday to see the polling arrangement there.