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3,000 supervisors with power to cancel polling
For the first time at a presidential election, more than 3,000 officers will be deployed to supervise the 12,324 polling booths and to monitor the conduct of the poll, a senior Elections Department official said. Accordingly, they will be monitoring the process from the opening of the poll until the transfer of ballot boxes is completed, Additional Commissioner M. U. Amaradasa said.
He said the officers deployed by the Elections Commissioner would have the authority to recommend the re-conduct of the poll if they found any major irregularity. This would be done in consultation with the District Secretary who would be serving as the Returning Officer. The moves came as election monitors identified certain areas where election law violations or violence could take place.
The Sunday Times learns that the list of areas has been sent to the Inspector General of Police to step up security. The likely trouble spots include Nikaweratiya, Arachchikattuwa, Attanagala, Divulapitiya, Minuwangoda, Anuradhapura, Balapitiya, Matara, Deniyaya, Hambantota, Walasmulla, Tangalle, Bibile, Hali Ela, Mahiyangana, Akkaraipattu, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Yatinuwara and Kantale.
A senior police officer said additional STF personnel would be deployed in the vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, the monitoring group People’s Action For Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said yesterday it has received complaints about collection of poll cards in the estate sector by unidentified groups .