Police get ready for LG polls

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Logistics regarding the number of police personnel to be deployed at the forthcoming local government polls scheduled to be held on March 17 are being worked out at the Police Election Secretariat Colombo to conduct a free and a fair poll devoid of violence, Senior DIG Elections Gamini Navaratne told the Sunday Observer.

He said, leave of all senior DIGs and SSPs and others including those involved in the local polls will be cancelled during this period to protect the public, candidates and supporters of political parties. Police Operations Rooms will be set up at DIG and SSP offices in the provincial capitals to monitor incidents relating to the pre and post polls.

Of the 35,000 candidates contesting the polls nearly 3,900 candidates will be elected to local bodies, the Senior DIG said.

Candidates contesting the forthcoming local government polls have been permitted to set up propaganda offices at their homes and at party offices during this period. However posters and cutouts have been banned for the forthcoming polls. Police will take action against those who violate polls’ regulations and arrest those who incite and resort to violence during this period.

Those who are found guilty by the Courts with regard to violation of election laws will have their voting rights forfeited, the Senior DIG said.

Meanwhile, a special unit will be set up at the police headquarters under the supervision of IGP Mahinda Balasuriya and several other DIGs will monitor the performance of police officers engaged in election duties.

Disciplinary action will be taken against police officers who fail to perform their duties. Protection will be offered to Postal Department employees in distributing polling cards, the Senior DIG said.