125 arrested for violating election laws

6 March 2011 12:10 pm Views - 4010

The Police Elections Desk said that it has received 105 complaints and125 individuals have been arrested for violating election laws while campaigning for the upcoming Local Government elections. 

According to the Police Elections Desk most of the complaints are based on incidents reported where supporters of major political parties engage in removing or tearing down cut outs, banners and other election propaganda material. Meanwhile minor incidents reported from Galle, Ahangama, Matara, Tangalle, Ratnapura and Kurunegala areas.

The Police Department had set up an Elections desk headed by senior DIG Gamini Navaratne to monitor the situation and take action against election violence.

Laborers and policemen are to be deployed to the purpose of removing elections propaganda materials. Additional laborers would be recruited if there is any shortage of man power.

Each police station has a separate elections monitoring desk under a police officer and they will take necessary action when they get a complaint.

The police have advised all the relevant parties to prevent violence incidents and advise their supporters not to engage in violating the prevailing election laws.
 
The police have deployed mobile road blocks, additional police patrols and extra policemen to areas that have been identified as hot spots where government and the opposition have a strong presence.  (Supun Dias)