4th polls related death:

Youth shot dead in Valaichchenai

A 35-year-old Muslim youth travelling in a motorcycle was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Valaichchenai, Batticaloa, shortly after noon yesterday. CaFFE confirmed the shooting was an election related incident.

It was the fourth election related death, and one of the four major incidents of election related violence reported yesterday. Other violent incidents reported included a shooting, assault and arson.

A total 31 incidents polls related violations were also reported by 4.30 p.m. yesterday bring the number of elections related violations to a record 1200.

PAFFREL reported 1170 incidents of polls related violations, primarily misuse of State property and violence, by yesterday, while CMEV, National Organiser, Manjula Gajanayake said they have recorded a total of 764 incidents, of which 137 were of major violations and included ten firearm incidents and four murders.

Gajanayake said the highest number of violent incidents was recorded in the Northern Province with the Jaffna District recording 15 incidents followed by Colombo and Batticaloa with 11 each. A Spokesman from the police media desk said they have made 275 raids over polls law violations and arrested 634 individuals. The police also received 357 complaints of violent incidents and arrested 163 individuals.