Polls conclude with 70% voter turnout [September 20 2014]

At the close of polls at 4.00pm today, nearly 70 per cent of the 942, 760 registered voters in the province had cast their vote, Elections Department confirmed.

The counting of postal votes began soon after 4.00pm and the counting of other votes is scheduled to begin at 6pm.

The returning officers of Badulla and Moneragala districts confirmed peaceful voting in all polling divisions in the province.

A total of 22 registered political parties and 11 independent groups fielded over 670 candidates for the 32 seats to be won in the Provincial Council which was dissolved by gazzette notification dated July 11. The term of the PC was to be expired in August this year.

In the Badulla district, 10 political parties and four independent groups have fielded candidates with 18 seats to be won, while 12 political parties and seven independent groups will contest 14 seats in the Moneragala district.