Election related violence escalate in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 19:03 GMT]
Thirteen election related incidents of violence have been reported from the date of submission of nominations by candidates for Batticaloa local council elections until Sunday 10 February, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Vasantha Nanayaskkara in charge of the security of Eastern province, said Sunday.

10 incidents of violence occurred in Vaazhaichcheanai while three incidents were reported in Ea’raavoor, and complaints regarding all the incidents have been lodged in the police stations, Mr.Nanayakkara added.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress(SLMC) has lodged 23 complaints with police, including 20 incidents in Vaazhaichcheanai and three incidents in Ea’raavoor. The complaints included the supporters of Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL)attacking the residences of SLMC candidates as well as issuing death threats and assaulting the contestants.

Mr.M.L.A.M.Hisbullah, former deputy Minister and elections coordinator for SLMC said Sunday that Police have not taken any action regarding their complaints.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka political parties contesting the local polls in Batticaloa District are launching their campaigns this week, Assistant Commissioner of Elections, Batticaloa district T. Krishnananthalingam said.

The Commissioner said the arrangements to hold the local government polls on March 10 in the Batticaloa district are now in order. A total of 831 candidates from 6 political parties including 22 independent candidates would contest the forthcoming polls.

Polls which have not been held in the Batticaloa district for nearly 14 years will elect 101 members to nine local bodies including the Municipal Council of Batticaloa

According to the Commissioner 285 polling stations would be set up with 4,200 staff working during the polling day.