EPDP calls for extra precautions for N-E polls

by Manjula Fernando

EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda expressing fears of possible election rigging by the LTTE at the upcoming Presidential Election next month, said extra precautions may be required to ensure a free and fair election in the North and East.

Devananda has requested the Elections Chief to see that at least one of the duty officers in polling booths in the North and East, is an outsider since the locals could be intimidated by the LTTE.

Talking to the Daily News on the sidelines of the Nominations last week, Devananda said they would restrict their campaign in the North and East to posters and pamphlets because of LTTE threats.

EPDP will support the UPFA presidential candidate Premier Mahinda Rajapakse to obtain minority votes from the North and East in his presidential bid.

The EPDP has completed a 50,000 poster campaign before the nominations and they were carrying out their propaganda through a FM service which has a regular listener base of about 3,000 daily.