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Polls watch from the provinces
Kurunegala
By Pushpakumara Jayaratne
Tight security was enforced in the Kurunegala district amidst reports of violence on polling day. In one incident police prevented a vehicle transporting ballot boxes from being attacked and arrested four suspects.

In another incident three people allegedly supporters of former Sports Minister Johnston Fernando were arrested for acting in a suspicious manner close to a counting centre. The accused were remanded by the Kurunegala Magistrate.

Police said on Thursday they had raided the minister's house following reports that he had allegedly been involved in pre election violence. However police said they did not find any weapons during the raid. Commenting on the overall situation on polls day, police said they had prevented instances of impersonation in several areas.

GALLE
By Gamini Mahadura
Apart from minor incidents reported from Galle, Matara and Hambantota, polling in the Southern Province took place in a peaceful manner. Tight security was in place on polling day following reports that violence could erupt.

DIG D. W. Prathapasinghe said 2676 police personnel and 330 mobile police units had been deployed in the area. He said despite a poor turn- out in the morning, by afternoon the polling booths were packed.

Public transport in the Southern province had come to a standstill by afternoon, and people were seen waiting for hours at bus stands to go and cast their vote.

MATALE
By Dilantha Hettige and M.W.Somaratne
Sixty nine people had been arrested in the Matale district for various election related offences committed during the election period, police said. UPFA candidate Mohamed Rizvan was among those arrested for allegedly violating election laws. He was produced before the magistrate and released on bail.
At least 10 UNF supporters were also arrested in connection with violating election laws.

Nuwara Eliya
By Shelton Hettiarachchi
The Walapane Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Jagath Kumara Samarahewa had been arrested at Udapussellawa for allegedly possessing a weapon on polls day. He was produced before the Nuwara Eliya Acting Magistrate and remanded until next Tuesday.

Anuradhapura
By Athula Bandara
Friday's poll has been identified as the the most violent free poll since 1965 in the Anuradhapura district where some 500,000 people cast their vote. Fridays poll saw a 80% voter turnout in the district. More than 12000 Election officers were deployed while security was tightened with some 3000 police personnel being deployed.

There were minor incidents of polls violations by supporters of both the UNF and UPFA, on polling day police said. They said more than 60 people had been arrested while seven vehicles had been seized.

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