Wayamba, Central polls today

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Polling will take place from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm today, at 2,579 centres, covering all 40 polling divisions in the five districts, comprising the Central and North-Western Provincial Councils.

A total of 2,247 candidates are in the fray from 16 political parties and 43 independent groups.

In the Central Province 1,310 candidates are in the contest, from 14 political parties and 26 independent groups. In Northwestern province 937 candidates are in the fray from 12 political parties and 17 independent groups.

According to the 2007 voters’ register a total of 3,408,182 (24.4 per cent of country’s total voters) are eligible to vote at today’s election. This consists of 1,746,449 voters from Central and 1,661,733 voters from North Western Province.

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayaka told a media briefing on Thursday that he would take tough action in case of reported violence, intimidation or malpractices and would take steps to nullify results in the affected polling booths, if any.

Announcing a series of measures to protect voter franchise, the Commissioner said National ID card numbers had been printed on the polling card to prevent impersonation.

“Even if the ID number is not printed, the particular voter could vote after obtaining special permission from the head of the polling booth, subjected to proving their identity, he added.

In addition to the National ID, the following documents have been termed as valid by the authorities: a valid passport, Driving Licence, Postal ID, Railway Season ticket, Pensioner’s ID, Bhikku ID or Elder’s ID and the temporary ID specially issued for this election.