2ND LEAD (Correction)

Polling begins in east

[TamilNet, Saturday, 10 May 2008, 03:13 GMT]
Voting began in 1270 polling stations in three districts, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampaa'rai, of eastern province Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. to elect 37 members to provincial council. This included two more members allocated for the party or independent group that polls highest number of votes. 1342 candidates from more than 18 political parties, and 56 independent groups are in the fray. The population of the province is 1,419,602 and 982,721 of them are eligible voters.

The main contest is between the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) which is contesting in alliance with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).

Ampaa'rai district comprises four electorates- Ampaa'rai, Pottuvil, Chammaanthu'rai and Kalmunai- with a population of 592,997. The voting strength is 409,308. Voting began in 430 polling centres. 561 candidates from 11 political parties and 22 independent groups are contesting.

The number of seats allocated for Ampaa'rai district in the EPC is 14.

Batticaloa district comprises three electorates, Batticaloa, Kalkudaa and Paddiruppu, with a population of 486,447. Of them 330,950 are eligible voters. Voting began in 314 polling stations and 378 candidates from 12 political parties and 15 independent groups are contesting to win 11 seats.

Trincomalee district comprises three electorates, Trincomalee, Moothoor and Seruvila, with a population 340,158. The voting strength is 242,463. Voting began in 278 polling stations to elect 10 members from 403 candidates contesting on behalf of 12 political parties and 19 independent groups.