Temporary IDs for Mullaitivu voters

by P. Krishnaswamy

Assistant Commissioner of Elections (ACE) for the Vanni district S. Suthagaran told the Sunday Observer that he is coordinating with an NGO, (CAFFE), in their program to provide temporary IDs to voters who do not possess them, to help them exercise their franchise in May 24 polls to the Pudukudiyiruppu and Karaithuraipattu Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Mullaitivu district.

Elections had not been held for any Local Government bodies in the district for over 20 years in the heavily-mined LTTE’s last bastian of the LTTE. Polls to the two PSs are being held on the basis of the June 2010 electoral register which was certified by the Elections Office in May 2011 and, according to the register, almost 51 percent of the electors do not possess IDs, Suthagaran said.

The CAFFE has already started travelling to the vicinity of the 39 polling stations to provide photos and to complete other formalities in respect of the electors without IDs, an official of the NGO said, adding that their services are free. Marking of postal poll cards will take place on May 15-16 and the cards will be sent to certified officers by insured cover on May 6, ACE, Suthagaran said. Other poll cards will be sent by post tomorrow, he said.

Poll cards to the families in the Menik Farm welfare centre in Chettikulam, Vavuniya will be delivered personally by their Department and, where necessary, transport will be provided to the electors in the centre, he said.

The number of registered voters in Pudukudiyiruppu is 23,169 while the number in Karaithuraipattu is 21,513, he said.

Poll cards of those living with their relatives and friends will be available at the Pudukudiyiruppu and Mullaitivu post offices for collection, Suthagaran said.