‘Minor’ Incidents
Security at elections*, photo by Perambara
PAFFREL says no major incidents, only one where some polling agents were threatened. However, there are ‘minor’ incidents. It’s hard to confirm these reports, so take them as they are. The UNP office got a report that an SLFP MP (Srilal Wickremesinghe) was intimidated voters and showing T56 weapons in Yatiyantota. The report is of them travelling in a WPC Defender. There are actually reports throughout the country.
In the same area there are also reports that people in Deraniyagala are being chased out from the Pasyagala, Polgaswatte and Pallegama polling stations, by the same guy.
Mahinda Ananda Aluthgama, Nawalapitya, two incidents. He is near the polling center, intimidating people, showing the leaf symbol and encouraging them to vote for him.
Matale, mayor Hilmi Careem Mohammed has a ballot box in his possession.
It’s also reported that certain people in Kelaniya have been registered in more than five districts.
Kalmunai – A character named Miyaz is reported to be using assigned army security to intimidate voters.
Colombo –
In Sri Lanka these are minor incidents, but in any other country people would freak out. That said, they are being reported and the election seems functional.
*photo above: SRI LANKA, Medamulana, January 26, 2010 – Army personnel secure the surrounding area at the D. A. Rajapaksa Maha Vidyalaya, where President Mahinda Rajapaksa was scheduled to cast his vote at Sri Lanka’s sixth Presidential Elections. (Amantha Perera / Perambara)
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