Climax of battle for remaining local bodies today; crucial Colombo centre of attraction

By Chamitha Kuruppu

The much-awaited final phase of the local government elections will be held today, with greater focus on the ultimate victor of the contest for the Colombo Municipality.

As per official records, 6,488 candidates will contest for 420 positions in 23 local government bodies including 17 Municipal Councils, five Pradeshiya Sabhas and one Urban Council.

Assistant Elections Commissioner Sumanasiri Ekanayake yesterday told the Daily FT that final preparations were made to ensure a free, fair and transparent election. “We have dispatched all required logistics. We are hoping today’s election will go on smoothly,” noted Ekanayake.

The main highlight of today’s election will be the battle for the mayoral post of the Colombo Municipal Council. Marking the highest number of candidates ­­— 1,211 will contest from nine political parties and 10 independent groups. Over 1.58 million are qualified to vote in the Colombo municipality.

Meanwhile, the Police Department has warned that it would take stern action against those who violate election laws. Extra security officials have been deployed in areas where elections are being held.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Election Security Gamini Navaratne told the Daily FT that the Police had arrested 200 people for election law violations. “We have received 150 incidents so far and 95 of them were for breach of election law. We have also taken 45 vehicles into custody. There were no reported cases on Friday,” DIG Navaratne explained.

According to election watchdog People’s Actions For Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), 136 cases were reported and 17 incidents were reported after the campaign activities ended on Wednesday midnight. The highest number of cases was reported from Colombo.  Rohana Hettiarachchi of PAFFREL told Daily FT that illegal propaganda such as display of posters and cutouts, house-to-house campaigning and distribution of goods were reported during the last two days. “Most of the cases were reported from Galle, Colombo, Hambantota and Anuradhapura against the UPFA candidates,” he pointed out.

             

In the first phase of the local government elections held in March, the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) secured victory of 205 local authorities of the total 234 bodies. UPFA coalition parties secured another six of the local bodies and the United National Party won nine. The second phase of elections consisting the north east were held in July where the UPFA won 45 local government bodies of the total 65 and the Tamil National Alliance secured victory of 20 local authorities.