Tight security at SL local elections

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 March 2011, 02:19 GMT]
More than 50,000 police officers and 30,000 military personal have been deployed to maintain security at the 7402 polling centers and 52 counting centers in the Thursday's local council elections. 333 special teams have been setup for election duty, Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya was quoted saying in the Lakbima newspaper.

According to the article, special attention has been given to areas where there were disturbances during elections in the past with security being specially boosted in such areas.

The police will primarily be handling security at the local government elections but will be assisted by the military including the special task force.

Elections are not being held in Tamil districts of Jaffna and Ki'linochchi, SL Election officials said.