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Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election elicits little interest
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With a modest voter turnout of 63 percent, the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election yesterday was peaceful as seen in these pictures taken by our photojournalists Priyanka Samaraweera and Sugathapala Diyagahage
By Susil Priyan and D G Sugathapala
Polling began at 7 a.m. in 48 polling centres with good weather conditions prevailing. More than 600 officials and 500 policemen
were deployed. Counting commenced soon after polling ended at 4 p.m.
Election officials said 55,643 voters were eligible to cast their votes while 8 registered political parties and
one independent group contested at the election.
Deputy Inspector General of Police and Police media spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said no incidents occurred during polling.
He said tight security was maintained across the area.
Police will continue their patrols and security operations in the area where processions will be restricted for a week.
The election was held to elect 28 members of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. 17 will be elected from 17 wards while 11 members would be appointed according to the preferential voting system.
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the election was held peacefully without any violence.
He added that they deployed election monitors for all 48 polling centres and deployed two mobile observations groups. He said there were no incidents of violence pre-election, during polling, and while counting.
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- With a modest voter turnout of 63 percent, the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election yesterday was peaceful as seen in these pictures taken by our photojournalists Priyanka Samaraweera and Sugathapala Diyagahage
According to him, many factors such as reduced interest in the election among voters, and a drop of enthusiasm among political parties to contest elections contributed to create a peaceful election atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) told the Sunday Times that even though the election was held in a peaceful manner it also shows a reduction of poll turnout compared to previous elections.
This indicates a reduced interest among voters and therefore the election monitors as well as election commission should work hard on educating the public on polling for the upcoming general election, he said.
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