Eastern PC polls, EPDP to go it alone

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The EPDP has decided to go it alone at the forthcoming Provincial Council Elections in the East, where all major contenders are expected to take the field unlike the recently concluded Batticaloa Local Polls.

The Election slated to take place on May 10, closely on the heels of Local Polls is expected generate a keen tussle with both the UNP and JVP announcing their desire to contest.

Only the TNA seems to be undecided but according to MP Suresh Premachandran a decision would be arrived at within the week with its leader R. Sampanthan arriving in the country after a brief stay abroad.

The EPDP leader Douglas Devananda told the Daily News that his party which formed a coalition with PLOTE and EPRLF for Batticaloa Local Polls had decided to contest as a single party in accordance with a decision taken by the party's political body.

According to Devananda the party arrived at this decision following a ten hour meeting by its apex body which had decided that this was the best course for EPDP at the forthcoming polls.

Meanwhile the TMVP which swept the board in the Batti polls is most likely to join the UPFA for elections and the other major contender the SLMC has already extended an invitation to other Muslim factions to join hands in a bid to increase its chances at the elections.

According to analysts the elections are being eagerly looked forward to by both the local and international community with the polls held in three districts Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa paving the way for the democratic process to be enacted after clearing the LTTE stranglehold.

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Postal Voting application close on March 22

COLOMBO: The Elections Commissioner announced yesterday that the voters eligible for postal voting at the upcoming Eastern Provincial Council Elections, should send their applications through the certifying officers to the respective returning officer before 22nd of March for approval.

It also said that the electoral register for year 2006 which was certified on 30.05.2008 would be applicable for this elections too, which could be viewed at the Elections Secretariat in Rajagiriya. The list is to be exhibited at places decided by the Commanders of the Three Armed Forces and the Inspector General of Police, the Elections Department said.