SPC polls peaceful:

Resounding victory predicted as ...:

UPFA takes early lead

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is heading for another landslide victory, following the Southern Provincial Council elections held yesterday.

UPFA 		5,647
UNP 		  937 
JVP 		  890 
Total polled 	7,631 
Total valid 	7,491

The early postal voting and electoral division results released at the time of going to press indicated that the UPFA would retain power at the Southern Provincial Council with an absolute majority.

Based on early election results released at the time of writing, political observers predicted another easy win for the UPFA as the people in the Southern Province were keen to show their gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who hails from Ruhuna.

Yesterday’s SPC election was the first opportunity for people in the Southern Province to exercise their democratic rights after the country was liberated from the clutches of terrorism. Political analysts predicted a resounding victory for the UPFA, similar to the performance of the ruling party at all recent Provincial Council elections.

The UPFA has shown a remarkable performance at all Provincial Council and Local Government elections in the recent past and at the last Uva Provincial Council elections the UPFA secured around 80 percent of the votes. The final results are expected to be announced by this afternoon. A more significant voter enthusiasm was seen at the Southern Provincial Council (SPC) election than at the previous Uva, Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council polls.

According to the District Secretaries, the voter turnout was nearly 65 percent in the three districts.

“The polls were very peaceful. No major election-related incidents were reported,” the District Secretaries said. Polling took place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. yesterday at 1,485 stations covering the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts. A total of 1,761,859 voters were eligible to vote with 1,091 candidates from 52 political parties and Independent groups contesting. A total of 55 Councillors would be elected to the SPC. Matara District Secretary Ms. W. K. K. Atukorale said that the polls were very peaceful and there was a remarkable voter turnout from early morning, yesterday. Hambantota District Secretary R. M. D. B. Meegasmulla said that no election related incidents had been reported. The election was peaceful. The good weather also encouraged the voters to go to the polling booths early, he said. A spokesman for the operation room - Galle District Secretariat said that no election related incidents had been reported.