Local Authority Election 2011Media Communique-0117

March 20111000Hrs

Polls opened at 0700 am today in 234 Local Authorities. The Centre for Monitoring ElectionViolence (CMEV) has received a number of reports of violence and violations relating to electorallaw, including individual incidents of voters being chased away from a polling booth in DambullaMC and an attack in Beruwela UC on the house of a candidate. CMEV is monitoring the pollingthrough the deployment of Mobile Teams.

Transportation of voters from Puttalam to Mannar

CMEV was informed by its monitors, that voters are largely being transported to polling centresby political parties, particularly from Puttalm to Mannar. This is a violation of electoral law.CMEV contacted the Mannar Election Office and was informed by an officer in charge of transport that the Election Department has not provided transportation facilities this time andtherefore political parties had stepped in to do so. He confirmed that he had receivedinformation regarding this.

Hand Grenade attack in Dimbulagala PS, Polonnaruwa

A hand grenade attack has been reported from Dimbulagala PS of Polonnaruwa District at around3.20 am. The attack occurred inside a polling centre namely Maguldamana Vidyalaya according to theAralaganvila Police Station. CMEV learnt that a police officer on duty had been injured during theattack and had been admitted to the Polonnaruwa Hospital. CMEV was later informed by its monitor,that this attack was allegedly carried out by a group of UPFA supporters when the police officerprevented the pasting of posters near the polling station. However, a police constable attached to theAralagangvila Police Station informed CMEV that the poll is being conducted at the said centre asscheduled.

Tension in G.B.Senanayaka MV of Ekala PS, Gampaha

At around 08.30 am a CMEV Monitor reported that a tense situation prevailed near theG.B.Senanayaka MV

polling centre due a dispute between the UNP polling agent and electionofficials. According to the CMEV monitor two centres have been established

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one for men and

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