Incidents of violence mark Election Day

[TamilNet, Thursday, 08 April 2010, 10:15 GMT]
In Vavuniyaa in the North, alleged supporters of former Minister of Resettlement and ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Risard Badudeen harassed private bus owners transporting Vanni uprooted civilians in Vavuniyaa detention centres to the polling stations in Vanni district, according to Advisor to the Elections Commisioner, Bandula Kulathunge. Meanwhile, Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi said that the Election Day was quite violent with incidents continuing to pour in from all parts of the island.

A shooting incident in Galle where several houses and a vehicle were damaged was reported, Rohana Hettiarachchi told media.

He added that a complaint has been lodged against UPFA candidate for holding an illegal rally opposite a pooling booth in Galle.

There were other incidents of polling agents of United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) being chased away from taking over their duties allegedly by UPFA.

Meanwhile, illegal propaganda text messages have been circulated from candidates in violation to the Election laws, Advisor to the Elections Commissioner Bandula Kulathunga said.