LG polls on March 24

by P. Krishnaswamy

Democratic governance will be further strengthened in the Northern province after the elections on March 24 to the two remaining Local Government bodies in the Mullaitivu district. Elections to the Pudukudiyiruppu and Karaithuraipatru (Maritimepatru) Pradeshiya Sabhas were postponed due to demining in the heavily-mined district, the LTTE’s last bastion.

Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Desapriya told the Sunday Observer that Local Government elections in the Northern Province will be held in the two Pradeshiya Sabhas. However, polls to the remaining nine LG bodies in the Eastern province will be held in March next year, he said.

Assistant Commissioners of Elections (ACE) A.S. Karunanidhi said that the elections will be held under the 2010 electoral registers. Twenty-two polling booths for Pudukudiyiruppu and 17 for Maritimepatru will be set up. Cluster polling booths for nearly 6,000 in the Manik Farm welfare village and for those living with their friends and relatives will also be set up, he said.